RB Robert Arnaud, the newest member of the Bucs' practice squad, was traded from New Orleans to Washington prior to training camp
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are still awaiting word on how the team will replace Warrick Dunn's carries on Sunday. Who will pick up the slack Wednesday through Friday, on the other hand, already has an answer.
On Wednesday, the Bucs announced the signing of first-year running back Robert Arnaud to the practice squad. To make room for Arnaud on that five-man unit, C/G Eric Thomas was released.
That flip mirrors the recent changes in the Buccaneers' various health issues. While center Jeff Christy has fully recovered from his preseason knee sprain and guard Russ Hochstein is nearly finished rehabilitating a foot fracture, running back Warrick Dunn is now the team's major injury concern. Dunn suffered a mid-foot sprain in Minnesota on Sunday and is expected to miss three to four weeks.
As a member of the practice squad, Arnaud will not be eligible to help out during games, but he can assume some of the load during practice. On the other side, the practice squad position has an obvious allure for Arnaud – two recent running backs on the Bucs' practice squad have gone on to active roster positions, Aaron Stecker with Tampa Bay and Autry Denson with Miami.
Arnaud spent the most recent preseason with Washington, after the Redskins traded a future conditional draft choice to New Orleans for his rights. Arnaud had originally signed with the Saints as a free agent after spending the 2000 season on Baltimore's practice squad. He joined the Ravens, and the NFL, as an undrafted free agent in late April of 2000.
As a collegian at Georgia, Arnaud played in 25 games with one start and contributed 330 yards and three touchdowns on 90 carries. He hails from Morrow, Georgia.
Arnaud will wear jersey number 30 and will join the Bucs for his first practice Wednesday afternoon.
