On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed defensive lineman Earnest Brown on injured reserve due to a rib injury. He can return this year for the Buccaneers after missing four games.
Brown has been a surprise on the Bucs’ defensive front this preseason. So much to the point that he beat out others expected to make the roster and found himself a part of the 53-man roster after training camp.
Brown entered the NFL after being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with them before joining the Bucs this offseason. Once he arrived, he played like he was ready to establish himself with a new franchise and fanbase.
The Bucs have started a youth movement on defense, and at 25 years old, he could find himself involved in a meaningful role upon returning. Being schemed within Todd Bowles’ defense, he could provide some favorable matchups alongside Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.