The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed a new running back following the Rachaad White preseason injury, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
“Buccaneers are signing former [Atlanta] Falcons RB Jase McClellan, a 2024 sixth-round pick,” Schefter relayed on August 11.
The former NFC South rival draft pick, McClellan, wasn’t given too many opportunities in Atlanta behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, with just 13 carries for 32 yards. But the 5-foot-11 RB flashed a ton of dual-threat potential over his four years at Alabama.
McClellan accumulated 2,390 scrimmage yards and 24 touchdowns over 395 plays with the Crimson Tide. During his senior season in 2023, McClellan even contributed over 1,000 combined yards both on the ground and through the air (890 rushing yards, 137 receiving yards).
He averaged 5.6 yards per carry over his four-year career at Alabama.
Buccaneers RB Rachaad White Is Officially ‘Day-to-Day’ With Groin Injury After Preseason Opener
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White is dealing with a “groin” injury.
Earlier in the day on August 11, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles provided an injury update on White, who left Saturday’s preseason outing with an ailment.
“HC Todd Bowles says RB Rachaad White is day-to-day with a groin injury,” Buccaneers team reporter Scott Smith relayed.
ESPN Bucs reporter Jenna Laine added that White “was standing on the sideline with teammates during practice.”
Per FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman, backup running back Owen Wright is a bit banged up after the preseason opener, too, hence the McClellan signing.
Besides White and Wright, the Bucs only had three running backs on their preseason roster. Those players were Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker and Josh Williams before the McClellan addition.
Williams, who had been sidelined for the better part of the past two weeks, returned to practice on Monday, per Auman.
Buccaneers Work Out UFL Cornerback Before Jase McClellan RB Signing
Along with their injuries at running back and wide receiver, the Buccaneers have also been dealing with absences at cornerback.
Auman reported that Tampa Bay was taking a look at a free agent CB on August 11, but only the McClellan signing has been confirmed at this time.
“Bucs are bringing in corner Micah Abraham for a workout this morning,” Auman noted. “East Lake and Marshall grad is the son of former Bucs corner Donnie Abraham. Drafted by [the Indianapolis] Colts last year, played in UFL this summer.”
Per Football Database, Abraham only appeared in two games for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, logging 4 total tackles. However, over 62 appearances at Marshall in college, the defensive back racked up 12 interceptions, 150 total tackles, and 1 defensive touchdown.
The big injury absence at cornerback right now is rookie second-rounder Benjamin Morrison, who is working his way back from a hamstring issue.
“No updates on Benjamin Morrison,” Auman told a Buccaneers fan on August 11. He added that “a hamstring tweak requires rest to heal, so he’s now been out a week, [and] could in theory return to practice this week, but I’d think next week is more likely.”
UPDATE: The Buccaneers ended up signing a cornerback on Monday after all, as the move was reported later that evening.
“Bucs are signing undrafted rookie corner JayVian Farr from Augustana,” Auman reported. “Had been a tryout player at rookie minicamp, now gets a chance to play in final two preseason games with three corners sidelined with injuries.”
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