The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Isaiah Johnson to the active roster on Wednesday afternoon, promoting the first-year safety from the practice squad. To make room among the 53 active spots, the Buccaneers waived defensive end Jacquies Smith.
Johnson's promotion was not unexpected given the Buccaneers' current injury report. Safeties Keith Tandy and T.J. Ward are both suffering from hip injuries and are serious question marks for Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots. Without Tandy and Ward, Tampa Bay's depth chart for the position would have been limited to Chris Conte, rookie Justin Evans and Josh Robinson, a converted cornerback who plays almost exclusively on special teams.