Caden Fordham’s NFL journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been a rollercoaster this week, with the undrafted rookie linebacker already back on the team’s practice squad after a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it departure.
From 53-Man Dream to Practice Squad Reality
This dude made some serious noise in preseason. Fordham balled out in all three games, racking up 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and even a pass breakup. But it was on special teams where he really shined, leading *all* NFL players in preseason with four solo tackles on kick coverage. That’s the kind of grit that gets an undrafted guy noticed! His performance actually landed him a spot on the initial 53-man roster, a huge win for any rookie, let alone an undrafted one.
But the NFL is a brutal business. Just when you think you’re in, things can change. The Bucs claimed cornerback Kevin Knowles from the Kansas City Chiefs, and Fordham was waived to make room. Tough break, right? For an undrafted guy who just clawed his way onto the active roster, that’s gotta sting.
Why the Bucs Clung to Fordham
Even after the waiver wire shuffle, it’s clear the Bucs wanted Fordham back in the building. They moved fast to sign him to the practice squad. Why? His college resume from N.C. State is impressive, finishing second in the country with a whopping 143 tackles, plus 10 TFL, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and three passes defensed. That earned him third-team AP All-America honors.
More importantly for the Bucs right now, they’ve got some injury concerns at off-ball linebacker. Christian Rozeboom has been dealing with an injury, and SirVocea Dennis just returned to practice after missing time. With four off-ball linebackers currently on the active roster, Fordham’s special teams prowess and linebacker depth make him a prime candidate if they need to call someone up. The dude’s got potential, and Tampa Bay definitely isn’t letting him get away that easily.
So, Caden Fordham gets to keep developing, staying sharp on the practice squad. He’s proven he can hang with the big boys, and with the current situation at linebacker, you just know he’s going to be ready for his chance. This isn’t the end of the road for Fordham, it’s just another twist in a wild rookie season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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