Buccaneers promote linebacker Cameron Lynch

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have promoted linebacker Cameron Lynch to the active roster, waiving wide receiver Jeremy Butler to make room for him.

Cameron Lynch entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse last season, and played a full season for the St. Louis Rams as a special teamer. He was signed to the Bucs’ practice squad in early September of this year.

The last-minute call-up is confusing at first glance, given the fact that the Bucs had no linebackers on the injury report this week. But the Bucs only had four linebackers on the roster after waiving Josh Keyes and placing Devante Bond on injured reserve. Apparently, they didn’t think five linebackers would be enough — and apparently, they want to try a different linebacker from Keyes this week.

The Bucs play the Panthers on Monday Night football, hoping to keep pace in the division. Both teams are 1-3, which is not exactly an ideal position for a playoff run, but the NFC South is pretty much wide open.