After sitting out the first chunk of the 2024 campaign, Ryan Neal has landed with a playoff contender for the stretch run of the season. The veteran safety is signing with the Buccaneers, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. It will be a practice squad gig for Neal.
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This is a reunion for the two sides, as Neal spent the 2023 campaign in Tampa Bay. The veteran ended up starting 13 of his 15 appearances, compiling 76 total tackles. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of his performance, grading him as one of the worst safeties in the NFL. As a result of the poor showing, Neal found himself unsigned for the first three months of this season.
Now, Neal could look to revive his career in the same spot. The Buccaneers have lost some significant depth at the safety position over the past week. Jordan Whitehead landed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury ahead of Week 13, and fill-in Mike Edwards proceeded to suffer a knee injury in that contest. With Tykee Smith also nursing a lingering knee injury, the Buccaneers entered the day with only Christian Izien and Antoine Winfield Jr. as healthy options in their safeties room.
So, the team has reunited with a pair of old friends. In addition to Neal, the team also snagged Kaevon Merriweather off the Lions practice squad today. The former UDFA spent the first year-plus of his career in Tampa Bay, collecting 24 tackles in 25 games. After seeing a lesser role on defense as a sophomore, the safety was waived by the Buccaneers a few weeks ago. He subsequently landed on Detroit’s taxi squad, but Tampa Bay’s sudden need for depth has landed him back on the Buccaneers’ active roster.
Considering Merriweather started the 2024 season in Tampa Bay, he may be ahead of Neal on the current depth chart. However, the veteran acquisition has shown some ability to be a starting-caliber defensive back. He had a consistent role in Seattle between 2020 and 2022, appearing in 43 games. That included a 2022 campaign where he started 10 games while collecting 66 tackles, one interception, and eight passes defended.