Bucs add former 49er Sherman to hard-hit secondary
When Tom Brady calls, people listen.
Richard Sherman, a three-time All-Pro cornerback who has been dealing with offseason legal issues, is the latest high-profile player to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in hopes of helping Brady win another Super Bowl.
Sherman got a one-year deal Wednesday with the defending NFL champions, who have been hit hard by injuries to their secondary.
Much as he did in luring Rob Gronkowski out of retirement and lobbying for the Bucs to sign Antonio Brown and Leonard Fournette last season, Brady contacted Sherman to inquire about whether the 11th-year pro was in shape and interested in resuming his career.
“Me and Tom have had a great relationship over the years ... and always thought it would be really cool to play together if we had the opportunity,” Sherman said. “It’s crazy how things shake out.”
Sherman practiced Wednesday, but barring more injuries to an already decimated secondary is not expected to play Sunday when the Bucs visit the New England Patriots.
“Obviously he’s got a lot to learn and get into football speed,” coach Bruce Arians said.
“It’ll be a bunch of guys hurt if he’s out there this week. But we’ll wait and see,” Arians added. “It’s not like he has to play this week. We have time.”
A five-time Pro Bowler, Sherman spent the past three seasons with the 49ers. Before that, he was one of the NFL’s top defenders with Seattle, helping the Seahawks win the 2013 title and go to the Super Bowl the next season. He played seven seasons in Seattle (2011-17).
The 33-year-old cornerback was involved in several incidents during the offseason, including being arrested in July at the home of his wife’s parents in Redmond, Washington. He was charged with five misdemeanors, including two counts of domestic violence, plus resisting arrest, DUI and reckless endangerment.
Sherman pleaded not guilty to those charges while saying on social media he was “deeply remorseful” for his actions.
He didn’t shy away from questions Wednesday.
“There’s always a silver lining to everything,” Sherman said. “Obviously it was an unfortunate situation and regrettable, but it led to some positive changes, some help, some therapy, some tools that I didn’t have before to address some things that you kind of let stack up in your mind.”
CHIEFS’ ANDY REID BACK TO WORK >> Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid was back to work Wednesday as if nothing was amiss, three days after he was taken to the hospital with an illness and dehydration following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Reid was released from The University of Kansas Hospital on Monday and wasted no time getting back to the team facility on Tuesday, when the team typically goes through film reviews and begins preparation for the upcoming week.
That allowed Reid to move seamlessly into Wednesday, when the Chiefs have their most important full-squad practice of game week. They began putting in the game plan for Sunday’s trip to Philadelphia, where they will try to snap a rare two-game skid against the team where Reid spent the first 14 seasons of his head coaching career.
“I’m feeling great first of all,” Reid said. “It’s good to be back and just getting on with business as usual here.” BENGALS’ HIGGINS, BATES OUT WITH INJURIES TONIGHT >> The Cincinnati Bengals will be without receiver Tee Higgins and safety Jessie Bates for their Thursday night matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And the team likely will be missing cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) and guard Xavier Su’a-Filo (knee). Both were listed Wednesday as doubtful.
However, cornerback Trae Waynes is expected to make his Bengals debut. He signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the team before the 2020 season, but missed the entire year with a pectoral injury. He’s been bothered this season by a hamstring injury.