After adding tackle Jonathan Hubbard Monday, the Bucs needed to get down to the 80-man roster limit Tuesday. They did so by waiving injured offensive tackle Chide Okeke on Tuesday, the team announced.
We've placed K Ryan Succop on the reserve/COVID-19 list. In addition, T Chidi Okeke was waived/injured, and RB Troymaine Pope landed on injured reserve.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 24, 2021
The Bucs also announced that kicker Ryan Succop, who tested positive for COVID-19, has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. In addition, running back Troymaine Pope cleared waivers and has landed on the team’s injured reserve.
The Bucs signed Okeke the day after undrafted rookie Calvin Ashley left the team. He has missed the last week of practice with an undisclosed injury. Okeke entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Football Team in 2019. He spent the 2019 offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs and the 2019 regular season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. Okeke made the 2018 All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team in college at Tennessee State.
Pope signed with the team after a rookie mini-camp tryout in the spring. Pope has bounced around six teams in five years, including three stints in Seattle. Last year was the most productive season in Pope’s career, rushing 15 times for 76 yards while catching eight passes for 42 yards with the Chargers.
Succop’s placement on the list means he will miss Saturday’s game against the Texans. Rookie kicker Jose Borregales, who has shined in camp, will get the nod.