While relatively healthy at the beginning of the regular season, the Bucs have some injuries along the defensive line that have forced Tampa Bay to bring in another at the position. The Bucs have signed defensive tackle Ben Stille, according to Stille’s agency group, JL Sports.

Stille was on the Cardinals practice squad to begin the season, but Tampa Bay signed him to the active roster. By rule, since he was taken off another team’s practice squad, Stille is required to be on the Bucs for at least three weeks.

Background On New Bucs DT Ben Stille

Bucs DT Ben Stille – Photo by: USA Today

Joining the NFL in 2022, he signed as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska with the Dolphins. Though he originally didn’t make the active roster, Still was put on the practice squad and elevated for a regular season game. He played on October 23, and a month later was taken off the practice squad and signed with the Cleveland Browns. During his time in Cleveland for the rest of the year he got in six games.

After getting released by the Browns in 2023, Stille signed on with the Cardinals. He bounced around between the practice squad and some roster elevations throughout the year, playing in six games. Stille went through training camp in 2024 with the Cardinals, too, joining their practice squad until the Bucs came calling. In his career, Stille has played in 12 games making one start and recording 13 tackles with one sack.

Bucs Dealing With Injuries At DT

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell and DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Playing at Nebraska and on the defensive line makes Stille a player that general manager Jason Licht would be interested in. The big concern for Tampa Bay though is that they might be down two defensive lineman heading into their Week 1 game at home against the Commanders.

Starting defensive tackle Logan Hall has missed two days in a row due to a foot injury. Fellow defensive tackle Earnest Brown was limited on Wednesday with a rib injury and did not participate on Thursday. It sounds like Hall will continue to be monitored up until the game.

“It’ll go up until the weekend,” head coach Todd Bowles said of Hall’s injury. “We’ll see how he feels. We’ve got a plethora of guys that are going to platoon in that rotation right there.”

Currently on the active roster at defensive tackle is Will Gholston, Greg Gaines and Stille. Tampa Bay could also dip into their own practice squad and elevate Mike Greene or C.J. Brewer on the day of the game this Sunday. Brewer in particular is a player that many felt should have made the active roster at the start of the season.

The odds are that Gholston, the long time veteran on this team, will get more reps on defense if Hall can’t go. Gaines is more of a backup for nose tackle. Considering Stille just got to Tampa, there wouldn’t be a lot expected within days before the game. Tampa Bay will have one more practice on Friday to see if Hall can go, but if not then the Bucs will have committee filling his spot.