Most significant move: The fact the Bucs didn’t put guard Carl Nicks on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list is a strong sign that the veteran should be able to return early in the season. Nicks has been battling a staph infection. If Nicks can get healthy, Tampa Bay has the potential to have one of the league’s top offensive lines.
Paying the kickers: Although it appears as though Rian Lindell will be the kicker on opening day, the Bucs apparently will be paying three kickers this season. Technically, teams don’t have to pay players on the non-football-injury list. But the team reportedly will pay Lawrence Tynes, who is dealing with a staph infection, his $840,000 base salary. That’s probably a smart move because there could be legal implications if Tynes isn’t paid. The Bucs also are believed to be paying the $2.3 million base salary of Connor Barth, who was injured in a charity basketball game during the offseason. Lindell is scheduled to make $940,000 in base salary and he has a $65,000 roster bonus.
What’s next: With Tom Crabtree dealing with a high-ankle sprain that could keep him out of some regular-season action, the Buccaneers might look to the waiver wire to see if there is a pass-catching tight end they can pair with Luke Stocker.
Buccaneers moves: Waived S Sean Baker, CB Deveron Carr, T Jace Daniels, LB Dom DeCicco, LS Andrew DePaola, K Derek Dimke, WR David Douglas, LB Ka’lial Glaud, S Cody Grimm, P Chas Henry, DT Lazarius Levingston, DT Matthew Masifilo, DT Andre Neblett, TE Danny Noble, WR Chris Owusu, T Mike Remmers, CB Mason Robinson and C/G Cody Wallace. Terminated the contracts of G Roger Allen, DT Gary Gibson and WR Jordan Norwood. Placed K Lawrence Tynes on non-football injury llist.
