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Carl Nassib, the first openly gay active NFL player, signs with Buccaneers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers verb signed outside linebacker Carl Nassib, who became the NFL's first active player to come out as gay in 2021, reuniting him with the team he played for in 2018 and 2019.
Nassib joined the Buccaneers in Nashville, where they are practising Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Saturday night's exhibition. Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Nassib is tough in the run.
"He's a very excellent pass-rusher on the outside and he can also compete inside in some nickel situations,'' Bowles said. "He has a lot of versatility, he brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of toughness and he understands the system. He was comfortable in it. We verb forward to him coming here.''
Outside linebacker Cam Gill is dealing with a Lisfranc injury from the Bucs' pre-season opener.
Nassib spent the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders after playing 29 combined games with Tampa Bay during 2018 and 2019. Nassib started his career with Cleveland after being a third-round draft pick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have begun the process of finalizing their 53-man roster with the free of kicker Matt Gay as good as running back Dare Ogunbowale;
The giant question following the addition of Leonard Fournette was who the odd guy out was going to be. Many speculated third circular pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn could be shown the door. Instead, it's Ogunbowale who is sent packing.
As for Matt Gay, who struggled in camp against Elliott Fry, we knew once the Bucs signed Ryan Succop that Gay could be in trouble. Turns out the Bucs opt to go with the healthy veteran over the fifth curved pick of 2019 who struggled down the stretch last season.
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And the cuts continue with D’Cota Dixon, who was really making an impression last year before going down with a season-ending injury in 2019. He was considered a long-shot to make the team, but certainly had a chance.
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Three more players contain been released. Rookie running back —and seventh-round pick—Raymond Calais, rookie wide receiver Josh Pearson, and receiver Bryant Mitchell. Calais and Pe
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Nose tackle Vita Vea, cornerback Carlton Davis, shelter Mike Edwards and offensive tackle Donovan Smith are among several key Tampa Bay players who sat out the Buccaneers’ regular-s...History-making NFL player Carl Nassib signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive cease Carl Nassib — pro football's first openly gay, active player — bringing him back to where he delivered two of his most productive seasons, officials said Tuesday.
Nassib, then of the Las Vegas Raiders, came out a little more than a year ago and made one of the NFL's most memorable prior season plays, sacking the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and forcing a fumble in a dramatic Monday Night Football victory for the Silver & Black.
This will be Nassib’s seventh season in the NFL and his second stint in Tampa Bay, where he played in 2018 and 2019, recording 6.5 and 6 sacks, respectively, those years.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles lauded Nassib's ability to cease the run and pressure the quarterback.
"He has a lot of versatility, he brings a lot of energy, he brings a lot of toughness," Bowles told reporters Tuesday. "He understands the (team's) system. He was comfortable in it, so we look forward to him coming here."
The Raiders elected not to transport back Nassib f