The Buccaneers are adding some defensive depth. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the team signed veteran linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year deal. To make room on the roster, the Bucs placed tight end Antony Auclair on the injured reserve.
The former fourth-round pick missed the majority of last season as he recovered from a pectoral injury. Acho joined the Bills this offseason, but he was released by the team at the end of the preseason. He had a workout with the Broncos in early October, but it’s otherwise been quiet for the 31-year-old.
After recording seven sacks in his rookie campaign in Arizona in 2011, Acho hasn’t been able to replicate that success. In 2017, he started 12 games and played on 60% of the Bears’ defensive snaps, posting 27 tackles, three sacks, and one pass defensed. Last year, he had just two tackles across four games.
The Buccaneers’ pass-rush has been relatively underwhelming this season; the team’s 19 sacks ranks 24th in the NFL. Both Carl Nassib and Anthony Nelson suffered injuries this past weekend, so Acho will at least provide the team with a healthy body. The veteran also has experience with the coaching staff, having played under head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Arizona.
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