Since the end of the 2019 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, the most dominant tight end of the last decade and the league leader in yards from scrimmage over the last dozen years. Now that loaded offense will also feature the fourth-overall pick of the 2017 draft and one of the NFL's premier power runners.
On Sunday, the Buccaneers announced the signing of running back Leonard Fournette, who had been waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. In three seasons with the Jaguars, Fournette ran for 2,631 yards and added 134 receptions for 1,009 yards, scoring 19 total touchdowns in that span.
Tampa Bay also re-signed veteran center A.Q. Shipley, the only vested veteran the team released during Saturday's round of roster cuts. Shipley had originally joined the team on August 27 to provide the interior offensive line with some much-needed experienced depth. The Bucs created the two spots on the 53-man roster to add Fournette and Shipley by placing wide receiver John Hurst and guard John Molchon on injured reserve. Hurst and Molchon were two of the four undrafted rookies who initially made the 53-man roster on Saturday.
Fournette joins a Tampa Bay backfield that includes incumbent starter, Ronald Jones II, who topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his second NFL season in 2019. That crew also includes veteran LeSean McCoy, the aforementioned NFL leader in yards from scrimmage since 2009, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. Tampa Bay also used third and seventh-round draft picks this year on, respectively, running backs Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Raymond Calais, and return last year's primary third-down back in Dare Ogunbowale.
"That's one position [where] I don't think you can have enough good guys," said Head Coach Bruce Arians. "That's the one area where nicks and bruises really add up and when you can get a player of that caliber – I've gotten great reviews from people that know him and have coached him. He'll fit right in and then we'll see what role happens and how fast it can happen. RoJo is our guy, Shady is ready for his role, so it's just going to be building roles as we go along and having enough quality players to finish this thing."
View photos of running back Leonard Fournette from his career so far.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, right, runs past Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) on his way to a 75-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) celebrates scoring against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) during a regular season Week 1 NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans on Sept. 10, 2017 in Houston. The Jaguars beat the Texans 29-7 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Leonard Fournette throws the ball into the crowd after believing he had scored a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The play was called back by a penalty. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette (27) sprints to the endzone on a 90 yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a NFL game Sunday, October 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) bursts through a huge hole on his way to a 90-yard touchdown run during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won the game, 30-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) dives over the pile to score during a Week 5 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars defeated the Steelers 30-9. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs away from Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won 30-9. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for yardage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for a 75-yard touchdown during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at EverBank Field, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Rams defeated the Jaguars 27-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs through the Los Angeles Chargers defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2017, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The New England Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette celebrates a touchdown run against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs past Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 24th, 2017 in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco won 44-33. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Brock Coyle (50) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Brock Coyle (50) and safety Eric Reid during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball against Tennessee Titans defenders Avery Williamson (54) and Wesley Woodyard (59) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
FIle - In this Jan. 14, 2018, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL divisional football AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars have ruled out Fournette for their game at Dallas. It will be the fourth game Fournette has missed this season. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette (27) is chased by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) as he runs the ball during the NFL 2018 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won the game 45-42. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) stares out prior to an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars defeated the Steelers, 45-42. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the football during an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars defeated the Steelers, 45-42. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs with the football during an NFL AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won 45-42. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won, 45-42. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won, 45-42. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) during an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars won, 45-42. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, right, runs for yardage before he is stopped by New Orleans Saints linebacker A.J. Klein (53) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball during a NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Saints won 24-20. (Paul Abell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for a 21-yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons along side of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) as offensive tackle Jermey Parnell (78) signals the score during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for a 21-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Falcons 17-6. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the football against the New York Giants in an NFL game Sunday, September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the football against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Indianapolis, IN. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for yardage past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Tyson Alualu, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for yardage in action against the Buffalo Bills Sunday November 25, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) takes a handoff from quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in action against the Buffalo Bills Sunday November 25, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) falls forward at the end of a run against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL game Sunday, November 25, 2018 in Orchard Park, NY. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball during a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Houston. The Texans beat the Jaguars 13-12. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for yardage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for a 69-yard gain in front of Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for a 69-yard gain in front of Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Rashaan Evans (54) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) beats Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) to the corner in an NFL game, Thursday, September 19, 2019 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) on the field during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 20-7. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs upfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 20-7. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, right, runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) takes a hand-off from rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos in an NFL game, Sunday, September 29, 2019 in Denver. (Rick Wilson via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) and strong safety Eric Reid (25) chase Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) makes a reception and runs upfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Saints won 13-6. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) outruns New Orleans Saints cornerback Vonn Bell (24) to the edge in an NFL game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Jaguars won 27-17. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) looks on from the sideline bench during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Jaguars defeated the Bengals 27-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Jaguars won 27-17. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette tries to get past New York Jets linebacker James Burgess during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) gains yardage against the New York Jets defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette plays against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) rushes for yardage against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, in Jacksonville, Fla. Fournette used to be considered a building block in Jacksonville. Then he ended up on the trading block. Now, the bruising running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract and facing an uncertain future with the franchise. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs as he is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette runs a pass pattern against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) hands off the ball to running back Leonard Fournette (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs with the ball past Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. Jacksonville won the game 20-16. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs upfield during the first half of an NFL football against the Los Angeles Chargerson Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Chargers won 45-10.(Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) performs a drill during an NFL football workout, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) is seen during an NFL football workout, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
In a larger sense, Fournette adds his considerable talents to an offense that has star quality across the board. The receiving corps is lead by 2019 Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and also includes the rising duo of Scotty Miller and Justin Watson. The Bucs may boast the league's deepest tight end corps after adding Rob Gronkowski – the player noted above as dominant in the 2010s – to a group that already included O.J. Howard and Cam Brate. And all of it, of course, will be directed by that legendary quarterback, former Patriot Tom Brady.
"He's a very bright player and everything I've heard from the guys coaching him – he'll pick it up really quick," said Arians. "We're not going to force him; we don't have to force him. We'll just let him get in his pace and if I know him he'll be pretty fast-paced. We'll try to get him up to speed as fast as we can and see if he can have a role for next week."
Fournette is a serious offensive weapon in his own right. Last year, he finished sixth in the NFL with 1,674 yards from scrimmage, combining 1,152 rushing yards with a career-best 76 receptions for 522 yards. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and finished fifth among all NFL running backs in passes caught.
The 6-0, 228-pound Fournette was selected fourth overall in the 2017 draft after a dominant career at LSU in which his impressive combination of size and power led to 4,356 yards from scrimmage in three years and a career average of 6.2 yards per carry. In 36 NFL games since he was drafted, Fournette has averaged just over 100 yards from scrimmage per game.
The Buccaneers are determined to produce a stronger ground attack in 2020 after their high-scoring but imbalanced offense in 2019 ranked first in passing yards and 24th in rushing yards, along with a 28th-place ranking in yards per carry. The addition of Fournette should help with that effort and is yet another aggressive move for a team that appears to be "all-in" in 2020.
"Like I said, it's great ownership," said Arians. "They give us as a coaching staff every single thing we need. It's now our job to get it done. It's fantastic to have people that want to win that's running the organization. From day one when I met with them when I took this job, they were committed to winning and I was sold that they were committed to winning."
Shipley brings 105 games and 70 starts worth of regular-season experience to the Buccaneers line, where he joins Aaron Stinnie as the two interior backups. Shipley started 48 games at center over the past four seasons in Arizona, spending 2018 on injured reserve, and 32 of those starts came under Arians in 2016 and 2017.
The Buccaneers kept Hurst and Molchon on the active roster through Saturday's cuts specifically so they would be eligible for short-term injured reserve. To give teams greater roster flexibility as they try to operate amid a pandemic, the NFL will allow unlimited players to return from injured reserve in 2020. Previously, only two players could return from IR, though the new CBA ratified in March had intended to increase that to three before the rules were further changed just prior to training camp. Players who are placed on injured reserve can return after as few as three weeks.
View photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man roster.
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 09, 2021 - Safety Andrew Adams #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 31-29. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OLB Shaquil Barrett
RB Giovani Bernard
QB Tom Brady
TE Cameron Brate
ILB K.J. Britt
G Alex Cappa
CB Ross Cockrell
WR Jaelon Darden
ILB Lavonte David
DL Khalil Davis
CB Jamel Dean
CB Dee Delaney
S Mike Edwards
WR Mike Evans
RB Leonard Fournette
QB Blaine Gabbert
DL William Gholston
WR Chris Godwin
TE Rob Gronkowski
OL Robert Hainsey
TE O.J. Howard
C Ryan Jensen
WR Tyler Johnson
RB Ronald Jones II
G Nick Leverett
G Ali Marpet
DT Steve McLendon
OLB Anthony Nelson
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DL Patrick O'Connor
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 14, 2021 - Wide Receiver Jaydon Mickens #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Bengals won the game, 19-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
CB Richard Sherman
P Bradley Pinion
OT Donovan Smith
G Aaron Stinnie
ILB Grant Stuard
K Ryan Succop
DL Ndamukong Suh
TAMPA, FL - September 16, 2021 - Long Snapper Carson Tinker #46 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB Kyle Trask
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn
DT Vita Vea
OT Josh Wells
ILB Devin White
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 24, 2021 - Safety Jordan Whitehead #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Championship game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Buccaneers won the game 31-26. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
T Tristan Wirfs
