The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added Jay Person, a two-time FCS All-American linebacker, to their roster in response to a recent injury. The team faced a setback when second-year linebacker YaYa Diaby suffered a high ankle sprain on July 31, necessitating the addition of a new player.
Person, who recorded 27.0 career sacks at Chattanooga, was recognized as the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. Although he participated in an open tryout and a minicamp with the New England Patriots, he was not invited to their training camp. The Buccaneers hope Person’s impressive college performance will enhance their pass rush.
In addition to signing Person, the Buccaneers placed offensive lineman Sua Opeta on injured reserve due to a knee injury sustained during training camp, effectively ruling him out for the 2024 season. This move created an opportunity for Person to join the team.
Diaby’s injury is particularly disappointing as he had a standout rookie season, leading the Buccaneers with 7.5 sacks despite limited playing time. His absence from the preseason could hinder his progress, but it also provides a chance for other players such as Markees Watts, Jose Ramirez, and rookie Chris Braswell to gain valuable experience.
The Buccaneers had planned for such scenarios when they signed veteran linebacker Randy Gregory to a one-year, $5 million contract in April. However, Gregory failed to report to minicamp or training camp, leading to his placement on the Reserve/Did Not Report list.
Person, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 233 pounds, was a dominant force at the FCS level. He accumulated 233 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 9 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries during his college career. A two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, Person was among the top defensive players in the FCS.
Leave a Reply