With injuries at the wide receiver position and Mike Evans’ one-game suspension for this week’s game against the Packers, the Bucs have signed veteran Cole Beasley to the practice squad. Beasley, a 10-year veteran receiver, spent his first seven years in Dallas and his last three seasons with Buffalo. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the news, saying that Bucs QB Tom Brady was behind the move.

The 5-foot-8, 174-pound Beasley has totaled 550 catches for 5,709 yards (10.4 avg.) and 34 touchdowns in his NFL career. Beasley, 33, has functioned primarily in both the slot and out wide in his career, offering Tampa Bay some versatility at the receiver position.

His best season came with the Bills in 2020 when he caught 82 passes for 967 yards (11.8 avg.) – both career highs – and four touchdowns. In his first season in Buffalo in 2019, Beasley caught 67 passes for 778 yards (11.6 avg.) and a career-high six touchdowns. Last year, Beasley also hauled in 82 receptions, but for just 693 (8.5 avg.) and one TD.

Bucs WR Cole Beasley – Photo by: USA Today

Beasley made national news for his stance against COVID-19 vaccinations during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He was outspoken during the summer of 2021 for calling out the league’s COVID-19 rules. Beasley called himself pro-choice when it came to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and accumulated nearly $100,000 in fines during the 2021 season for breaking COVID protocols in Buffalo.

“I may die of covid, but I’d rather die actually living…. [I’ll] take my chances with Covid and build up my immunity that way. Eat better. Drink water. Exercise and do what I think is necessary to be a healthy individual,” Beasley said on Twitter in July 2021. “I’m not anti or pro vax. I’m pro choice.”

Once Beasley acclimates himself to the Bucs’ playbook he could be activated to the 53-man roster, perhaps as early as Saturday for Sunday’s season opener against Green Bay.

Banged Up Bucs Receivers

Aside from Evans’ suspension, which he is planning to appeal, Bucs receivers Chris Godwin and Julio Jones missed last week’s game at New Orleans due to injuries. Godwin, who is coming off a torn ACL, suffered a hamstring injury in his first game back against Dallas in Week 1. He is listed as week-to-week, but didn’t practice prior to the Saints game and might not available this season against the Packers. Jones suffered a knee injury in Week 1, but the team is hopeful he can play against Green Bay, especially if Evans loses his appeal and can’t play on Sunday.

Bucs wide receivers Russell Gage and Breshad Perriman are also playing through injuries. Gage has been dealing with a hamstring injury dating back to training camp. That injury is believed to be limiting his production. Gage has just seven catches for 41 yards (5.9 avg.) through his first two games with the Bucs.

Perriman injured his knee at Dallas, but wound up scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 28-yard catch at New Orleans in the team’s 20-10 victory.

Beasley’s addition helps from an experience standpoint. The Bucs have two rookie receivers  on the practice squad in Kaylon Geiger Sr. and Deven Thompkins.