The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a pair of roster moves ahead of their Thursday matchup against the Falcons, elevating veteran defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and defensive back J.T. Gray to the active roster.
Let’s start with Gotsis, a name that may not pop off the page but brings real NFL mileage to the Bucs’ defensive front. At 33 years old, Gotsis is a seasoned vet who’s been through the trenches-literally and figuratively. Originally a second-round pick by the Broncos back in 2016, he carved out a solid role in Denver over four seasons, wrapping up his rookie contract with a base salary just shy of $1 million in 2019.
After a knee injury clouded his immediate future, Denver let him hit the open market. That could’ve been the end of the road, but Gotsis wasn’t done.
He signed with Jacksonville ahead of the 2020 season and stuck around, re-upping on a couple of one-year deals before inking a two-year extension in 2023. That deal didn’t go the distance-he was released in August of this year-but he briefly landed with the Colts, where he appeared in five games and logged eight tackles.
Now, he’s getting another shot in Tampa Bay, and while he’s not expected to be a game-changer, Gotsis brings valuable depth and experience to a defensive line that’s been tested throughout the season. He’s the kind of rotational piece who can give you quality snaps, especially in short-yardage or early-down situations.
As for J.T. Gray, his elevation signals a focus on special teams and secondary reinforcement.
Gray has made his name as a core special teamer, and that’s likely where he’ll make his impact on Thursday night. With the Bucs in the thick of a playoff push, every snap matters-whether it’s on defense, special teams, or somewhere in between.
These aren’t blockbuster moves, but they’re the type of roster tweaks that can quietly make a difference down the stretch. Gotsis and Gray may not fill up the stat sheet, but their presence adds depth, experience, and a little more flexibility for a Bucs team looking to stay sharp in a tight NFC South race.