On Thursday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used both of their practice squad elevation options for Week 15, activating defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and safety J.T. Gray for their game against the Atlanta Falcons later that evening. Both Gotsis and Gray will be eligible to make their Buccaneers' debut in the nationally-televised contest.
Gotsis gives the Bucs' added depth in their defensive line rotation after C.J. Brewer was released on Wednesday in the round of roster moves that included the activations of wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve. The Buccaneers are also likely to be down a safety on Thursday night with Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder) considered "doubtful" to play, though Gray's primary contributions may come on special teams. He was a three-time Associated Press All-Pro selection as a special teamer during his seven-year tenure with the New Orleans Saints.
The NFL introduced the practice squad elevation option in 2020, allowing teams to activate up to two practice squad players for each game. By utilizing both options in Week 15, the Buccaneers have increased their game day roster to 55 players for their matchup with the Falcons. They will be able to keep 48 of those player active for the game, naming seven inactives prior to kickoff.
Each player on the practice squad can be elevated up to three times during the regular season and an unlimited amount of times in the postseason. After the game, elevated players automatically revert to the practice squad without having to pass through waivers. This is the first elevation of the season for both Gotsis and Gray.
Gotsis first joined the Buccaneers' practice squad in the opening round of the playoffs last season. He then signed a reserve/future contract with the team and went to training camp in Tampa this past summer. He played in all three preseason games, starting two of them, and contributed six tackles, one for a loss. Originally a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 draft, Gotsis has played in 126 games with 54 starts for the Broncos, Jaguars and Colts and has amassed 226 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 22 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Gray came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State with the Saints in 2018. He quickly emerged as a special teams ace and was a second-team All-Pro choice by his second season. Gray later earned first-team All-Pro honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer in 2021. He has played in 99 games – most recently logging one appearance with Denver earlier this season – and has 103 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
The practice squad elevation option was introduced as part of the new collective bargaining agreement in 2020. The new rule was something of a compromise, as it did not expand the active rosters beyond 53 players but did give teams a few more options on game days.
