On Wednesday afternoon, the Buccaneers made a significant addition by signing veteran cornerback Troy Hill to their practice squad, with hopes he could swiftly make an impact. To create space for Hill, Tampa Bay released inside linebacker Kalen Deloach from the practice squad.
Troy Hill Is An Experienced CB Who Could Get Playing Time With Bucs
Troy Hill brings valuable depth to the Buccaneers’ secondary. The ten-year veteran cornerback has logged 119 career NFL games with 60 starts since entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Bengals in 2015, playing for four teams in that time. After one year in Cincinnati, he joined the Rams, where he had his longest tenure across two stints. Hill’s standout season came in 2020, with career highs in total tackles (77), passes defended (10), interceptions (3), and defensive touchdowns (2). However, he missed the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, spending that year with the Browns.
Rejoining the Rams in 2022, Hill lined up against offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense and quarterback Baker Mayfield in practice, making him familiar with some key Buccaneers. He then signed with the Panthers in 2023, starting three games and recording a 61-yard pick-six before being released after six games with 32 tackles.
Over his career, Hill has amassed 414 total tackles, nine interceptions, four defensive touchdowns, and three sacks. Could he continue adding to these stats and become a dependable presence in Tampa Bay’s secondary?
With Jamel Dean on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, the Bucs’ cornerback depth is thin. Zyon McCollum leads the group, followed by inexperienced players like undrafted rookie Tyrek Funderburk, who started opposite McCollum but was benched in favor of 2023 sixth-round pick Josh Hayes. The only other active roster cornerback, Keenan Isaac, has yet to play a defensive snap this season.
Hill’s experience could help him quickly gain head coach Todd Bowles’ trust, possibly being part of the changes Bowles hinted at this week. While he won’t single-handedly resolve the defense’s issues, it will be interesting to see if and when he’s promoted to the active roster.
Bucs Cut Former FSU Star
Kalen DeLoach, a former standout linebacker from Florida State, joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent earlier this year. His signing generated excitement among fans, and veteran linebacker Lavonte David expressed optimism about DeLoach’s potential during the summer. Despite these high expectations, DeLoach faced challenges in securing a permanent spot on the team.
After being released following the preseason, DeLoach rejoined the Buccaneers’ practice squad earlier this month. Many anticipated that he would develop quickly and assume a versatile role in head coach Todd Bowles’ defense. However, this progression did not occur as hoped. When linebacker SirVocea Dennis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, an opportunity arose for DeLoach to be promoted to the active roster. Unfortunately, he was outperformed by Antonio Grier Jr., a former University of South Florida standout, who secured the spot instead.
Following his recent release from the practice squad to make room for veteran cornerback Troy Hill, DeLoach is now free to explore opportunities with other teams or await another call from the Buccaneers.
