Bucs reunite with Barrett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adding a familiar face as they try to make a playoff run.

Tampa Bay is signing pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, the team announced Saturday. The veteran linebacker will have a spot on the team's active roster, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Barrett signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in March before announcing his retirement in July. He ended his retirement in November, but the Dolphins didn't immediately move him to the active roster. Miami released Barrett this week, and he can play for the Bucs after recently clearing waivers.

The 32-year-old played 70 games for the Buccaneers from 2019-23, racking up 45 sacks, including an NFL-high 19.5 in 2019. A two-time Pro Bowler, he also helped Tampa Bay win a Super Bowl. Barrett finished his last season with the Bucs with 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Other teams also showed interest in signing him, according to Rick Stroud the Tampa Bay Times.

Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos earlier in his career, adds experience and immediate depth to a Buccaneers pass rush that ranks in the top 10 for pressures this season. No Tampa Bay player has double-digit sacks in 2024, but four Buccaneers have recorded at least four. Calijah Kancey leads the team with 6.5.

Tampa Bay is coming off a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys that moved it out of the playoff picture. With an 8-7 record, the Bucs are the NFC's 9-seed. They have the same record as the Atlanta Falcons but rank second in the South because of the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints in their final two regular-season games.