Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign two, release QB Rudy Carpenter

Two of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' young offensive players will now be permitted to participate in offseason activities after signing their respective tenders.

Running back LeGarrette Blount and receiver Preston Parker, both exclusive-rights free agents, have signed their tenders, according to the team.

Meanwhile, the Bucs have released backup quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who has spent the past three seasons on Tampa Bay's roster but appeared in just one game.

The two signings are largely procedural. Exclusive-rights free agents – basically players with expired contracts who have two years or less of credited NFL service – have no real negotiating rights and are permitted to sign only with their last team, provided the team tenders the requisite offer.

The collective bargaining agreement calls for those players be signed to a one-year deal for the league minimum based on their experience level. In this case, because Blount and Parker are both entering their third seasons, they'll make $540,000.

The Bucs have quarterbacks Josh Freeman and Dan Orlovsky on their roster and would likely add one two additional quarterbacks before training camp. The Bucs have, at times, carried just two quarterbacks on the roster during the regular season and might elect to do so again.