The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have activated guard Michael Jordan and running back Owen Wright for their Week Seven matchup against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. Both players were elevated from the practice squad to address depth concerns caused by injuries within the roster.
Player Activations
Michael Jordan is poised to step in as a starting option at right guard. This move is necessary due to Luke Haggard’s shoulder injury, which left him inactive for the game. Elijah Klein, who played in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, is also a candidate for a starting position.
- Michael Jordan: Activated guard
- Owen Wright: Activated running back
- Luke Haggard: Inactive due to injury
- Elijah Klein: Another option for right guard
Haggard had been starting at right guard since Week Two after Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending injury. Jordan previously filled the left guard position during the first two games of the season due to Tristan Wirfs’ absence.
Depth in the Backfield
Owen Wright adds depth to the running back position, joining Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. This is crucial as both Bucky Irving and Josh Williams are sidelined due to injuries for the Monday night game.
Practice Squad Elevation Rules
The NFL introduced the practice squad elevation rule in 2020. This allows teams to activate up to two practice squad players for each game. With this strategy, the Buccaneers expanded their game day roster to 55 players for this matchup, with 48 of them eligible to play.
- Game Day Roster: 55 players
- Active Players: 48
- Inactives: 7 before kickoff
Teams can make roster changes, including practice squad elevations, on the day of Monday games until 4:00 p.m. ET. Players on the practice squad can be elevated up to three times during the regular season, reverting back to the practice squad after each game without clearing waivers.
Player Backgrounds
This marks Michael Jordan’s third and final elevation for the current season, while this is Owen Wright’s second time being elevated. Jordan, originally drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, has made appearances for the Bengals, Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots, totaling 69 games with 42 starts.
Wright joined the Buccaneers on July 31 and led the team in rushing during the preseason. He had notable performances across all three preseason games, recording 25 carries for 100 yards, along with four receptions for 12 yards and a kickoff return of 25 yards.
