Bucs to sign tight end Darren Fells to practice squad as Rob Gronkowski remains out

TAMPA — It doesn’t look as if the Bucs will have Rob Gronkowski or Antonio Brown returning to the lineup any time soon.

The two favorite targets of quarterback Tom Brady who combined for three touchdowns in Super Bowl 55 are likely to miss more games based on the Bucs’ recent roster moves.

One day after reaching an agreement with veteran receiver Breshad Perriman, the Bucs will sign tight end Darren Fells to the practice squad today with the intention of him being activated for Sunday’s game at Washington.

It’s the most significant sign that Gronkowski, who played only six snaps Oct. 31 at New Orleans before suffering back spasms, isn’t ready to return from the rib injury he suffered during a Week 3 game at Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Brown posted a video of himself working out during the bye week and appeared a long way from returning from an ankle injury he suffered at Philadelphia.

To make room for Perriman on the practice squad, the Bucs released receiver John Hurst.

Both Fells and Perriman have played in Bruce Arians’ offense. The 6-foot-7 Fells switched from basketball to football in 2013 when he signed with the Arizona Cardinals and played three seasons under Arians. Though 35, he had 11 touchdown catches with the Texans from 2019-20 and would be the Bucs’ third tight end behind O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.

Perriman, 28, is on his third team since August, spending time with the Lions and Bears. He played with the Bucs under Arians and had significant playing time the last four games of 2019, with 20 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns.

This story will be updated.

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