Defensive end Tim Crowder suffered a concussion during the game against the Carolina Panthers, and that concussion was apparently serious enough to end his season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed the fifth-year player on injured reserve. Crowder acted mainly as Adrian Clayborn's backup during the season, but could play both right and left defensive end. With Michael Bennett likely returning the Bucs have some depth at DE, and they could give recent addition Daniel Te'o Nesheim some playing time to fill in for Crowder.
To fill his roster spot, the Bucs have promoted S Ahmad Black. The former Florida Gator was originally selected by the Bucs in the fifth round of the 2011 draft but a high-ankle sprain prevented him from making the roster during the preseason. He has spent all of 2011 on the Bucs' practice squad, while numerous other safeties rotated and got their chance during the regular season.
Black will now get a chance to prove he belongs on an NFL roster. The undersized safety had an eye for the ball and managed to shine because of his instincts in college, but because of his low speed and small stature he will have to overcome some limitations to do the same in the NFL.