The Bucs’ injury concerns have taken a turn for the worse. The team announced they have placed cornerback Jamel Dean and wide receiver Kameron Johnson on injured reserve today after both missed all of practice this week.

These moves were expected after Johnson sustained an ankle injury in Week 5 against the Falcons and Dean left the team’s Week 6 game against the Saints with a hamstring injury. With these moves, both players will be unavailable to play for at least four weeks. With recent updates to how injured reserve transactions work teams can return up to eight players in a season.

Bucs Activate DL Earnest Brown IV and Elevate P Trenton Gill

Bucs DT Earnest Brown IV – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In a corresponding move, the Bucs re-activated defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV from injured reserve this season, marking the first of those eight re-activations this season. Brown had a standout preseason with five pressures and six tackles across 86 snaps in three games. He was vying with C.J. Brewer for the sixth defensive lineman and 53rd active roster spot on the team. He initially won the job only to be put on IR almost immediately thereafter. Brewer has since earned a spot on the active roster.

Tampa Bay’s defensive line is now at full strength after being down Brown, Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey at one point, forcing the Bucs to sign Ben Stille off of the Cardinals practice squad.

Trenton Gill was added to the Bucs practice squad shortly after the preseason concluded due to inconsistency with punter Jake Camarda dating back to late last season. Camarda’s struggles have continued with him averaging less than 38 net yards per punt on the season. He is Pro Football Focus’ worst graded punter in the NFL this season.

Bucs P Trenton Gill – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This elevation means Gill will play tonight against the Ravens while Camarda will likely be a healthy scratch, which will be the third and final one allowed for him. The team will need to decide after this week whether they want to sign the former Chicago Bear, or the following week if they decide to give Camarda one last try. As a direct comparison, Gill has a lower average per punt and average net per punt than Camarda, so neither choice is particularly inspiring.

Currently, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett has his practice window opened leading up to a likely return in the next couple of weeks from his own stint on injured reserve which could be the second re-activation for the team. His return would replace the loss of Johnson.

With six activations still unused Johnson and Dean will join a host of other players who are currently on IR who may be reinstated once healthy. Several players the Bucs were originally counting on to be contributors at the beginning of the season are confirmed out for the year. That list includes left guard Sua Opeta, running back Chase Edmonds and cornerback Bryce Hall. But Dean and Johnson join long snapper Evan Deckers, linebacker SirVocea Dennis and outside linebacker Markees Watts as players who could come back later in the season.