The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated Doug Martin on Monday, which required a complementary move to keep the regular-season roster at 53 players. In this case, the Buccaneers waived second-year tight end Alan Cross, but they clearly didn't want him to get away.
On Tuesday, after Cross cleared waivers, the Buccaneers immediately signed him to their practice squad. To make room on that 11-man unit, the team waived first-year running back Russell Hansbrough.
Cross first made the Buccaneers roster as an undrafted rookie in 2016. Within a deep group of Buccaneer tight ends, he carved out a niche as a lead-blocker who helped in the rushing attack and could catch passes out of the backfield. He also played extensively on special teams. In 17 career games, Cross has eight receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown.
