According to his agent David Canter of GEE Worldwide, Jaydon Mickens has been promoted and signed to the Bucs 53-man roster.
Congratulations to @GSEworldwide client @JaydonMickens on being signed to the full time active roster of @Buccaneers
— David Canter (@davidcanter) September 10, 2021
Mickens signed to the team’s practice squad after not making the initial 53-man roster out of camp. He was elevated from the practice squad before the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys to return kicks. Mickens ended the night with 92 kickoff return yards, including a 41-yard return that gave the Bucs crucial field position. He finished with 21 total punt return yards and a long of 14, though he had a 24-yard return called back on a holding penalty
“Our special teams won the ballgame, there’s no doubt,” Arians said. “Between Bradley [Pinion] pinning them inside the 10 three times and Mick (Jaydon Mickens) covering. Mick had a hell of a night [in the] return game. It’s a shame we had a penalty on the punt return.”
In a corresponding move, Greg Auman of The Athletic is reporting that safety Chris Cooper will be released.
Bucs have waived safety Chris Cooper, who had made their initial 53-man roster but was inactive in Thursday’s win over Cowboys. Will put him on practice squad if he clears waivers.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 10, 2021
Cooper was the 90th player to join the Bucs in training camp. His special teams play throughout the preseason earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Inactive for the season opener, Cooper is expected to re-join the team on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
UPDATE: The Bucs have now announced the waiving of S Chris Cooper.