The Tampa Bay Buccaneers patched up an injury-riddled group of wide receivers in training camp on Thursday, signing undrafted rookie Jaden Smith. On Saturday, they made another addition to that unit, signing former UCF standout Jacob Harris, who most recently was on the Philadelphia Eagles' injured reserve list for part of 2024. To make room for Harris on the 91-man camp roster, the Buccaneers officially placed rookie outside linebacker David Walker on injured reserve. Walker, a fourth-round pick out of Central Arkansas, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first week of training camp.
Harris (6-5, 211), a native of Palm Harbor, Florida actually played tight end in college and was drafted at that position by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round in 2021. After appearing in nine games, almost exclusively on special teams, as a rookie, he suffered a torn ACL and finished the season on injured reserve. During the 2022 offseason, Harris was converted to receiver and split his second season in Los Angeles between the practice squad, the active roster and injured reserve. He recorded one catch for six yards in 2022.
In 2023, Harris signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent the entire season on the team's practice squad, though he was elevated for two games, playing on special teams. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Eagles in Janaury of 2024. Harris also spent time with the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL earlier this year.
The Buccaneers have four receivers who were unavailable for practice on Friday, including starter Chris Godwin, who is currently on the active/PUP list. Wideouts Trey Palmer, Tez Johnson and Kam Johnson are all dealing with minor injuries.
