Vincent Jackson, Major Wright end Buccaneers season on injured reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed wide receiver Vincent Jackson and safety Major Wright on injured reserve, the team has announced. The team promoted safety Kimario McFadden and tight end Tevin Westbrook from the practice squad to the active roster to take their spots.

Jackson has had a disappointing season, putting up 33 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns in ten games. He struggled with knee injuries repeatedly and looked more like a veteran possession receiver than the explosive downfield threat he used to be. At the same time, the Bucs offense was notably limited when he wasn't available, with the Bucs forced to turn to undrafted rookies Donteea Dye and Adam Humphries in his absence given that Louis Murphy was placed on injured reserve early in the season.

There are questions about Jackson's return next season. While his value to the offense is obvious, he's also an older and apparently declining player. The Bucs can save $10 million by cutting him -- money they could spend on other players, with receivers like Alshon Jeffery and Calvin Johnson potentially hitting the market this offseason.

The Bucs also announced that they signed safety Gerod Holliman, cornerback C.J. Roberts and cornerback Joel Ross to the practice squad, an indication that all three are likely to spend at least the early part of the offseason on the Bucs' 90-man roster.