Buccaneers promote DE Howard Jones, place T.J. Fatinikun on injured reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed defensive end Howard Jones to the roster off their practice squad after placing T.J. Fatinikun on injured reserve, the team announced. Fatinikun was expected to be a key rotational pass rusher for the Bucs, but injuries repeatedly robbed him of playing time -- and now of any chance to make an impact this year.

Jones was actually drawing a full rookie salary on the Bucs' practice squad, according to Greg Auman. They likely had to do that to keep them off another team's practice squad, or possibly even roster. Jones has all the athletic traits the Bucs crave in an edge rusher, but wasn't able to crack the Steelers' roster since entering the league as an undrafted rookie out of tiny Shepherd University last year.

In addition to those moves, the Bucs made three pratice squad moves in re-signing tackle Reid Frageld, addingdefensive end Josh Shirley to the same, and waiving tackle Martin Wallace. They also officially announced the signing of Connor Barth as well as the signing of Donteea Dye to the active roster, reported yesterday by Luke Easterling.