Buccaneers add WR Cole Beasley to active roster ahead of Week 3 game

On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the activation of wide receiver Cole Beasley’s status to the team’s active roster for the Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers.

With no player confirmed to play in the wide receivers position in the Buccaneers’ first home game of the season, Beasley moved from the practice squad and is expected to play, as confirmed by the team.

Before enlisting on the active roster, Beasley, who recently signed with the Buccaneers, had been registered as one of their practice squad on Wednesday.

He was listed for the team’s practice due to the team’s loss of their three Pro Bowl wide receivers. Mike Evans was suspended for his involvement in the fight against the New Orleans Saints last week, while Chris Godwin and Julio Jones suffered hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

After Jones skipped the Week 2 game against the Saints, he returned to the Buccaneers’ practice on Friday. He spent his time in a training drill with team trainer Bobby Slater off the side from the team roster. However, the Buccaneers listed him as questionable ahead of the Week 3 game against the Packers.

On the other hand, Godwin was ruled out on Friday’s practice and confirmed to skip the upcoming game, per Greg Auman of the Athletic.

According to ESPN, other wide receivers Russell Gage (hamstring) and Breshad Perriman (knee) were also listed as questionable following their injuries.

Buccaneers' coach thoughts on Beasley

Beasley spent a week working with the Buccaneers' wide receivers coach Kevin Garver to improve his game. He admitted that his offense had several flaws, including his performance with the Dallas Cowboys. According to head coach Todd Bowles, Beasley could adapt to the Buccaneers system.

"He's quick, catches up to speed [really] fast, he understands the system," Bowles said. "He's played and he's got a lot of reps under him, so if we needed him, I think he'll be ready."

With his situation, Beasley, 33, said that he was not confident if he could have a chance to play in the NFL again as he was listed out from a training camp for the first time in his career. He said that he was looking to play with Tom Brady as the Buccaneers’ wide receiver, as quoted by ESPN.

"I've been wanting to play with Brady for a long time, so it's exciting for me," Beasley said. "I'm excited for the opportunity and just ready to get back at it. It's a humbling experience kind of waiting this long. It's the first time I've never been through a [training] camp. I've got a lot of catching up to do.

"This is the perfect situation," Beasley said. "I'm just happy to be a part of it. Whatever my role is, I'll fulfill it. Wherever they need me, I'm just coming in and helping any way I can."

Beasley asserted that he improved over the week and was getting comfortable with his play, despite expressing his concern to adjust with the heat and humidity in Tampa Bay.

"I remember being gassed trying to come back. It was hard trying to come back in that stadium with the humidity. That's what I'll remember. I'll remember that and coming up short a little bit," Beasley said.

According to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, Beasley would need to adjust to the team’s offense.

"It takes a little time to get used to it down here," Leftwich said. "I didn't see anything in practice a game and practice are a lot different. He [would] be getting more reps in a game as opposed to what he did today in practice. ... He's a veteran, he's a pro he knows how to do that."