Bucs activate Shaquil Barrett from the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list

Shaq is back, baby. And just in time for the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Wednesday that Shaquil Barrett was activated from the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list. Barrett was placed on the list Friday along with Devin White and Steve McClendon. Teams aren’t allowed to give out information, but it appears that Barrett did not test positive based off the timeline. Barrett is allowed to practice and will play on Saturday, per the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol.

This is good news for a pass rush that had just one sack in the season finale after averaging around 3.0 sacks per game through the first 15 games. Barrett, along with White and McClendon, did not play against Atlanta.

The news doesn’t come as much as a surprise, either. Bruce Arians told reporters on Monday that Barrett would play on Saturday.

“I think Carlton should be up and going. Ledbetter will be very iffy. Shaq [Barrett] will be back, not sure about Stevie [McLendon] yet.”