Late-week injury developments led to a weekend change at cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Saturday, the team's travel day for the season opener against the Saints, the Buccaneers promoted Javien Elliott from the practice squad and placed De'Vante Harris on injured reserve.
The Buccaneers added both Harris and veteran starter Brent Grimes to their injury report on Friday and designated both as doubtful for Sunday's game. That left the Buccaneers with only four healthy corners heading into the weekend, but Elliott's promotion gives them five to field against Drew Brees and the Saints.
Harris joined the Buccaneers as a waiver claim from the Saints on August 12 and he won a spot on the 53-man roster in that short time. However, he will miss the chance to play against his former team, for whom he appeared in 21 games with two starts over the last two years.
Like Harris, Elliott was an undrafted free agent in 2016. Elliott also played in 21 games with two starts over the last two seasons in Tampa, recording 13 tackles and a pass defensed. His most extensive playing time on defense came in the final third of his rookie season, when he took over as the nickel corner.
While Grimes and Harris sustained injuries this week, rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart went in the opposite direction. After missing the last two preseason games with a foot injury, Stewart started this week as a limited participant in practice but returned to full participation on Friday. He did not receive a game-status designation and thus should be available to play on Sunday, along with Elliott, Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis and Ryan Smith.
