The Bucs have waived injured wide receiver Cyril Grayson, Jr. and reached an injury settlement with reserve offensive lineman Jonathan Hubbard, who was waived on August 16. The release of Grayson paves the way for newly added outside linebacker Genard Avery. The 6-foot, 250-pound Avery will wear No. 59 for the Bucs.

Grayson spent years on the Bucs practice squad before spending time on the active roster last year. The speedy Grayson, 28, was a former LSU track star that transitioned to football years ago. Grayson caught 10 passes for 212 yards (21.2 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns last year. He also had a 14-yard run on an end around.

Bucs WR Cyril Grayson – Photo by: USA Today

Grayson scored his first NFL touchdown at New Orleans last year, catching a 50-yard touchdown in Week 8 in a 36-27 loss to the Saints. He then burst onto the scene with three catches for 81 yards, replacing the injured Chris Godwin in Week 15. The next week at the New York Jets, Grayson totaled six catches for 81 yards. One of those receptions was the game-winning touchdown with just seconds left in a 28-24 comeback win.

Grayson suffered a hamstring injury the next week and was out for the rest of the season, including the playoffs.

The Bucs expected Grayson to compete for a roster spot this season, but he disappointed in training camp and then got hurt. Realizing he was not going to make the 53-man roster, the Bucs waived Grayson injured.

Bucs Fill Open Roster Spot With Linebacker

Avery has appeared in 53 career games, making 17 starts, playing for the Cleveland Browns (2018-19) and Philadelphia Eagles (2019-21). He spent the 2022 offseason and training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released on August 23. Avery has totaled 96 career tackles (11 for loss), 24 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He originally entered the league as a fifth-round selection (No. 150 overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played college football at Memphis.