For the third time this season, Markus White has made the leap from NFL practice squad to NFL active roster, two of those with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers promoted White on Wednesday morning, filling the vacancy on the 53-man roster created by Quincy Black's move to injured reserve.
The Bucs subsequently took care of the resulting opening on their practice squad by signing rookie linebacker Joe Holland.
White, a defensive end, takes a spot previously filled by a linebacker, but the move might be a more direct replacement than it seems. Black is 6-2 and 240 pounds and, in addition to starting at strongside linebacker, had been a strong special teams player this year, contributing three kick-coverage stops. White is 6-4 and 264 and may be able to fill a similar role in the kicking game. In addition, White played linebacker (in a 3-4 defense) during his time with the Washington Redskins in 2011 and the early part of this season. As for practice numbers, Holland's arrival keeps the Bucs' depth at linebacker on the 61-man roster at the same level.
The former Florida State standout originally entered the league as a seventh-round draft pick of the Redskins in 2011. He made the active roster as a rookie but appeared in only two games before going back to training camp with Washington this summer. After White was released by the Redskins in the final round of roster cuts, the Bucs brought him back to Florida to join their practice squad. Washington reclaimed their former player two weeks later, signing him off Tampa Bay's practice squad back to their own active roster. However, when White was waived again on October 10, the Bucs signed him back to their practice squad the next day. He was then promoted to the active roster before Tampa Bay's game against Kansas City on October 14, then moved back to the practice squad the following Week.
In three seasons at Florida State, White racked up 131 tackles, 11.0 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss. Known for his relentless style of play, White capped his collegiate career with a senior season in which he contributed 64 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He hails from West Palm Beach.
A four-year starter at outside linebacker at Purdue, Holland played in 49 games during his Boilermaker career and produced at a high level every season. Overall, he recorded 325 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and 15 passes defensed. He also won numerous Academic all-conference honors. Holland, who hails from Indianapolis, came into the league as an undrafted free agent with San Francisco this past spring and has also spent time on Miami's practice squad.
