CB Anthony Midget is familiar with the Bucs' defensive system, having spent the entire 2000 season on the team's practice squad
The weekly maneuver known as the Practice Squad Shuffle continued Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' headquarters.
For the fourth straight week and the fifth time in the last six weeks, the Bucs made one switch on their five-man practice squad on Tuesday, releasing LB Byron Thweatt and using the resulting vacancy to re-sign CB Anthony Midget.
As usual, the move is likely the result of the team's current injury situation. Four linebackers started last week's practice schedule with injuries of some concern, prompting the re-signing of Thweatt. This week's most pressing problem appears to be the nicks sustained by cornerbacks Donnie Abraham (low back contusion) and Ronde Barber (left hamstring strain), ailments that could keep both out of practice on Wednesday, at least.
On October 3, the Bucs replaced C/G Eric Thomas on the practice squad with RB Robert Arnaud. Two weeks later, Thweatt, who participated in the Bucs' training camp in August, replaced DT DeVone Claybrooks. The following week, Thweatt was released to make room for WR Darryl Daniel, but Thweatt returned last Wednesday in place of Arnaud.
The return of Midget will help the Buccaneers' depth in the secondary during practice but also brings back a player that impressed the coaching staff last fall and during the most recent training camp. After spending the entire 2000 season on the Bucs' practice squad, the 5-11, 193-pound cornerback out of Virginia Tech drew praise early in camp this summer but missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury. He was released on August 27.
Midget originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick with the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. He joined the Buccaneers' practice squad at the end of the 2000 preseason after recording two interceptions for the Falcons, one of which he returned 43 yards for a touchdown. At Virginia Tech, Midget was a first-team All-Big East honoree as a senior.
To view the Bucs' updated roster, please click here. The roster can be sorted by name, jersey number, position or college.
