The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today signed linebacker J.J. Russell from the practice squad to the active roster and placed tackle Josh Wells on Injured Reserve.
Russell (6-1, 225) entered the league as a college free agent with the Buccaneers on May 13, 2022 and has spent the 2022 season between Tampa Bay's active roster and the practice squad. He was elevated from the practice squad for Weeks 8, 15 and 16, appearing primarily on special teams. In total, Russell has played in four games with the Buccaneers this season. Russell played five seasons at Memphis (2017-21), starting 50-of-61 games for the Tigers and compiling 306 tackles (24 for loss), eight passes defensed, 5.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked kick. The Grenada, Mississippi, native was named first-team All-AAC (American Athletic Conference) in 2021 after leading the AAC in solo tackles per game (6.5) and total tackles per game (10.2), which ranked fourth and ninth in the nation, respectively. He wears No. 51 for Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay also signed tackle Dylan Cook and outside linebacker Ifeadi Odenigbo (If-AH-Dee, Oh-DEN-EE-bo) to the practice squad.
Cook (6-6, 305) entered the league as a college free agent with the Buccaneers on May 13, 2022. He appeared in 27 games for the University of Montana (2018-21), making 23 starts, after transitioning from quarterback to offensive lineman. He earned fourth-team All-Big Sky honors from Phil Steele after starting all 11 games in which he played during his redshirt senior season in 2021. He wears No. 65 for Tampa Bay.
Odenigbo (6-3, 258) appeared in 13 games for the Indianapolis Colts this season prior to being waived on December 20, recording 12 tackles (three for loss), six quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Previously, Odenigbo spent time with the Minnesota Vikings (2017, 2019-20), Arizona Cardinals (2018) and Cleveland Browns (2018, 2021). He entered the league as a seventh-round selection (No. 220 overall) of the Vikings in the 2017 NFL Draft and has since amassed 82 tackles (13 for loss), 37 quarterback hits, 14.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 54 career games played. The Centerville, Ohio, native played collegiately at Northwestern. He will wear No. 44 for Tampa Bay.
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