Journeyman WR Brown signed to practice squad
Injuries, attrition mounting for Brady’s group of targets
TAMPA — Breshad Perriman worked with trainers on a side practice field Thursday and Cyril Grayson is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Antonio Brown was released and Chris Godwin is done for the year with a torn knee ligament.
Tom Brady is running out of targets.
That’s why the Tampa Bucs signed well-traveled veteran receiver John Brown to the practice squad Thursday. Brown, or “Smoke” as he is known in NFL circles, was a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 and played four seasons under Bruce Arians.
“He just got here late last night,” offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said of Brown. “We’ll meet with him throughout the week and see how much he retained . ... He’s a smart player.”
Brown, 31, has spent the 2021 season mostly bouncing from the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squads; he did play sparingly in four games. His best season came at Buffalo in 2019 when he caught 72 passes for 1,060 yards and 6 touchdowns. Brown also played one season for Baltimore in 2018.
To make room for Brown, the Bucs released running back Darwin Thompson.
Perriman practiced but is battling a hip injury. Since joining the Bucs this season, Perriman has 11 catches for 167 yards and 1 touchdown
in six games. Perriman said he should be OK for Sunday.
“I’m feeling good,” Perriman said. “I talk to the trainers a lot.
Those are my guys. I’m feeling good and I’m just ready to get out there Sunday.”
The Bucs already were depleted
at the receiver position.
Mike Evans still isn’t 100% after the hamstring injury he sustained in the 9-0 loss to New Orleans
several weeks ago. The Bucs may have to turn more to players such as Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and rookie Jaelon Darden.