Bucs fill holes at WR, RB

Injuries force more tinkering, with Chad Lucas and Byron Storer joining the active roster.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published October 24, 2007

TAMPA - In what is becoming a weekly routine, injuries forced the Bucs to shuffle their roster Tuesday.

With receiver Michael Clayton suffering a right high ankle sprain, the Bucs promoted Chad Lucas from the practice squad to the active roster to bolster a unit that had three healthy players.

The Bucs made a move at another position decimated by injuries, releasing running back/fullback Zack Crockett and replacing him with former practice squad member Byron Storer.

Clayton could be sidelined through the Nov.11 bye. An MRI exam on Monday revealed no ligament damage, but high ankle sprains tend to linger. Also, receiver Mark Joneswas moved to injured reserve after a season-ending left knee injury Sunday.

Lucas' familiarity with the offense and ability to help in the return game made him a logical choice. An undrafted free agent of the Titans in 2004, the 6-1, 201-pound 25-year-old has had a couple stints on the Bucs' practice squad dating to last season.

Crockett carried just once for no gain after being signed Oct.10. Storer, 23, 6-1 and 219 pounds, figures to be needed while running back Michael Pittman completes his rehabilitation from a right ankle injury.

Also, the Bucs signed receiver Derrick Hamilton, a former third-round pick of the 49ers, to the practice squad.

[Last modified October 24, 2007, 02:22:26]