The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally filled the open 53rd spot on their active roster, adding some needed depth to the offensive line in the process. On Friday, the team announced that it has signed rookie guard Patrick Omameh, a former University of Michigan standout who had been working on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.
The 604, 306-pound Omameh was signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in April. He played in all four preseason games before being waived during the final roster cuts and then immediately re-signed to San Francisco's practice squad. The Buccaneers did not need to release a player in order to add Omameh; they had been operating at 52 players since a round of roster moves last week.
Omameh first moved into the starting lineup late in his redshirt rookie season, then held that spot for the next three years, eventually making 40 consecutive starts. As a senior, he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and an honorable mention choice by the press. Omameh was also an Academic all-conference selection in each of his last three years.
Players on NFL practice squads are free to sign with any team in the NFL as long as they are being signed to the new team's active roster. Omameh's addition gives the Buccaneers' nine offensive linemen, and most importantly adds depth to the interior line with starting left guard Carl Nicks potentially unavailable. Nicks (foot) has been listed as a limited participant in the first two practices of this week.
