The Bucs not only provided the latest injury updates on Wednesday afternoon, but they also began addressing some of those concerns shortly after.

Tampa Bay announced several transactions, including promoting offensive lineman Michael Jordan from the practice squad to the active roster, placing wide receiver Mike Evans on injured reserve, and signing wide receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad.

Bucs Secure Offensive Line Help For Rest Of Season

Michael Jordan has had an interesting path to playing time with the Bucs this season. One would not have expected Jordan to start games at left and right guard, but injuries to left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right guard Cody Mauch have necessitated several shuffles along the offensive line.

Bucs LG Michael Jordan and LT-C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jordan has filled an important role throughout the first half of the year, starting in Weeks 1 and 2 when the offense made the surprising decision to kick center Graham Barton to left tackle and left guard Ben Bredeson to center. During those games, the journeyman who signed in late July plugged right in between them in the starting lineup and did not miss a beat. He would succumb to a knee injury that would keep him out since then, only returning in Monday night’s Week 7 game on the right side of the offensive line.

After being elevated for the maximum three games from the practice squad to the active roster, Tampa Bay decided to sign Jordan to 53-man roster for the rest of the season as he now takes the spot of wide receiver Mike Evans. He will remain in the mix to start at right guard the rest of the way, along with Luke Haggard, Elijah Klein, and Dan Feeney.

The Bucs have been Jordan’s latest stop in an NFL career that has spanned 70 games, including 43 starts, since being drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has also suited up for the Panthers and Panthers.

Mike Evans To Injured Reserve Gives WR Brandon Johnson Another Chance

The next bit of news comes as no surprise.

After Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone, it was only a matter of time before he was moved to the injured reserve. That will keep him out for a minimum of four games, but his recovery window extends into the six-eight-week range as a mid-December return is the most likely scenario.

With the Bucs’ wide receiver room currently possessing Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, and Ryan Miller, and with Chris Godwin Jr. recovering and a possibility to play against the Saints, they elected not to sign another wideout to the 53-man roster.

Instead, the team has brought in Brandon Johnson on the practice squad.

New Bucs WR Brandon Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

Not only does this Johnson make it Three’s Company of wide receivers sharing the same last name, but he also stands at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and has played in 23 games between the Broncos and Steelers since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns in his career. His most productive year came in 2024, when he recorded 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns in Denver catching passes from rookie Bo Nix.

Now, he enters the mix in Tampa Bay and has another chance to make an impact. It will take time for him to get acclimated to offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s offense, but his blend of size and NFL experience gives him a chance to see the field at some point.