The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed defensive end Lawrence Sidbury, a 2009 fourth-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons who managed five sacks in 48 games as a defensive end. Sidbury signed with the Indianpolis Colts last year, but spent the season on injured reserve.
Sidbury should help the Bucs compensate for the loss of Gerald McCoy. The Bucs will be forced to play some defensive ends like Da'Quan Bowers and William Gholston at defensive tackle, especially on passing downs, which means Sidbury could be used to fill in for them at defensive end.
Butler managed some limited playing time earlier this season, but was consistently burned whenever he took the field. He was soon surpassed by Brandon Dixon, and the Bucs don't really need his services anymore as he's spent recent weeks on the inactive list.
The Bucs also signed defensive back Varmah Sonie to the practice squad.