Buccaneers trade Jonathan Casillas to Patriots
Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host
TheTampa Bay Buccaneers were indeed theteam to watch ahead of the trade deadline, but unloading a backup linebacker won't exactly send ripples throughout the league.
The Bucs traded veteran linebackerJonathan Casillas to theNew England Patriots, the team announced. Per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, via a source involved with the deal, thePatriots gave up their 2015 fifth-round pick for Casillas and a sixth-round pick.
Casillas, 27, has started 15 of 55 career games across five seasons in New Orleans and Tampa.
Battling hamstring and groin injures, he has yet to play a defensive snap in October. Casillas was a rotational player early in the season, playing roughly half of the snaps at strongside linebacker.
In addition to his special teams experience, Casillas will provide depth for thePatriots withJerod Mayo andChandler Jones sidelined.
The swap gives thePatriots insurance but doesn't measurably improve their roster.
As for theBuccaneers, NFL Media's Albert Breer reports wide receiverVincent Jackson and running backDoug Martin arestaying put after safetyMark Barron wasshipped off to St. Louis.
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