Buccaneers promote OL Mike Liedtke, list Joe Hawley as questionable

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are promoting offensive lineman Mike Liedtke to the active roster ahead of tomorrow’s game, the team announced today. Liedtke originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State in 2015, and has spent time on the Bucs, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs practice squads since then.

Liedtke will be able to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and that may be necessary: the Bucs placed starting linemen Ali Marpet and Demar Dotson on injured reserve this week and didn’t sign any replacements. In addition, the team just added center Joe Hawley to the injury report with an illness, and he may not be able to play tomorrow.

While Liedtke probably won’t start, the Bucs will have to turn to some new players on the offensive line. Caleb Benenoch is a realistic candidate to take over at right tackle or left guard, while Hawley was the most likely center and may now be replaced by Evan Smith. Leonard Wester is also a strong candidate at right tackle.

The Bucs waived special teamer and linebacker Cameron Lynch to make space for Liedtke.