The Bucs waived defensive lineman Earnest Brown and rookie linebacker Antonio Grier on Friday, the team announced.
That leaves the Buccaneers with only 50 players on their 53-player roster after previously creating an opening Thursday by placing safety Christian Izien on injured reserve.
The Bucs could use the spots to activate safety Jordan Whitehead and wide receiver Kameron Johnson from injured reserve for Sunday’s game. They also need a roster spot for punter Jack Browning, who is out of practice squad elevation options.
Brown signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in May after spending the first part of the 2024 offseason with the 49ers. He previously played two seasons with the Rams, seeing action in 12 games with three starts and contributing 14 tackles and a tackle for loss.
He appeared in three games early this season for the Bucs, logging 21 defensive snaps.
Grier joined the Bucs as an undrafted rookie in May. He has had two stints each on the practice squad and active roster and has played seven games. Other than two defensive snaps, all of Grier’s action has been on special teams, and he has one kick-coverage tackle.
