The number of Buccaneers on injured reserve has hit 14 with the announcement that linebacker Jonathan Casillas has been shut down for the season because of a knee injury.
Casillas signed with the Bucs as a free agent before the season and had played in all 12 games for the team this season. He started four of those games, including the Week 13 loss to the Panthers that he couldn’t finish because he hurt his knee. Casillas finishes the year with 24 tackles and a forced fumble on defense as well as a team-high nine tackles in kick coverage.
The Bucs could turn to Dekoda Watson, Adam Hayward or Ka’Lial Glaud on the strong side of their defense with Casillas out of the lineup.
They could also use Danny Lansanah, who they signed off the Jets’ practice squad to take Casillas’ place on the roster, but Lansanah hasn’t played in an NFL game since the 2008 season so he may not be the best option. Lansanah is the fourth player Tampa’s signed off another team’s practice squad this season.