The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today signed quarterback Connor Bazelak (BAYZ-lak) to the active roster, and elevated defensive back Marcus Banks from the practice squad to the active roster for the club's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. It marks the second elevation of the season for Banks.
Additionally, the team has waived running back Owen Wright.
Banks (6-0, 190) signed to Tampa Bay's practice squad on November 18 and was elevated for the team's Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams, making his NFL debut. He originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Buccaneers in May of 2024 and remained with the team until he was waived/injured in August of 2025. He played collegiately at the University of Alabama (2019–21) and Mississippi State University (2022–23), where he combined to appear in 48 career games and record 73 tackles (2.5 for loss), five passes defensed, one interception and one fumble recovery (returned 60 yards for a touchdown). His 60-yard scoop-and-score came on the final play of a 19-10 victory in the 2022 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Houston native wears No. 39 for Tampa Bay.
Bazelak (6-3, 225), who was on the team's practice squad, had been elevated in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints, but did not appear in the game. He originally signed with the Buccaneers as a college free agent in May of 2025. Bazelak appeared in all three of Tampa Bay's preseason contests, completing 32-of-46 passes (69.6%) for 261 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions to earn a 90.9 passer rating. He played collegiately at the University of Missouri (2019–21), Indiana University (2022) and Bowling Green State University (2023–24), combining to appear in 58 career games and complete 1,152-of-1,829 passes (63.0%) for 12,344 yards and 66 touchdowns for a 127.3 passer rating. He was named third-team All-Mid-American-Conference in 2024 when he recorded career bests in completions (269), passing yards (3,044) and passing touchdowns (18). The Dayton, Ohio, native wears No. 16 for Tampa Bay.
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