Buccaneers 2016 practice squad: Tampa Bay signs Peyton Barber, Javien Elliott, eight others

Update: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have put together their initial 2016 practice squad, and it doesn't contain a lot of surprises. The team officially announced ten players, RB Peyton Barber, CB Javien Elliott, WR Jeremy Butler, S Isaiah Johnson, LB Josh Keyes, OL Ben Gottschalk, OL Josh Allen, LB Micah Awe, RB Russell Hansbrough and WR Freddie Martino.

The team apparently liked what a few of the undrafted rookies did, signing running backs Peyton Barber and Russell Hansbrough, as well as cornerback Javien Elliott to the practice squad. Both players looked decent in preseason, but mostly impressed during the offseason and in practices. But the Bucs prefer to stay light at running back, keeping just Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Mike James at the position, while cornerback featured heavy competition -- the Bucs kept six there.

The team also signed linebackers Josh Keyes and Micah Awe, safety Isaiah Johnson and offensive linemen Ben Gottschalk and Josh Allen to the practice squad, again per Auman. Allen was a somewhat surprising cut, though the Bucs are fairly deep along the offensive line.

The only outside player the team signed to the practice squad so far is wide receiver Jeremy Butler. Butler played in eight games for the Baltimore Ravens last year, catching 31 balls for 363 yards.

Apparently the Baltimore Ravens wanted to keep him on their practice squad, but Butler was more optimistic about his chances in Tampa, where the Bucs don't have a lot of receiver depth. Baltimore Beatdown was certainly disappointed he didn't hold on to a roster spot.

The Bucs may have wanted to sign tight end/fullback Dan Vitale to their practice squad, but the Buffalo Bills claimed him off waivers instead, so he's now on their 53-man roster. The team has one more spot on their practice squad.