Tampa Bay Buccaneers Elevate Two Defensive Players Prior To Saints Game

In advance of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 4 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, the team is elevating two members of the practice squad to help reinforce the defense. Cornerback Keenan Isaac has been elevated for the game to help cover for the losses of corners Jamel Dean, who will miss the game with a shoulder injury, and rookie Derrek Pitts who will miss the game with a hamstring injury.

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Dean has had his struggles early on after signing a big deal in the off-season. He injured his shoulder against the Eagles but was able to come back in after receiving medical attention. He was subsequently ruled out in the second half of the loss. Isaac signed with the team as an undrafted, free agent, following the draft and impressed during training camp and the preseason. It came down to a numbers game during final cut-downs, and the team went with Pitts due to special-teams value.

In addition, they will also be elevating linebacker JJ Russell for the third consecutive week. Rookie SirVocea Dennis will miss the game with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 1. With his third elevation, Russell will no longer be allowed to be elevated for the rest of the season. If the Bucs need to call him up, they will need to sign him to the active roster. The team is hopeful Dennis will be able to return after the bye.