The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated cornerback Richard Sherman off injured reserve Friday, just two days after beginning his 21-day practice window.
The move clears the way for Sherman, who suffered a calf injury during warm-ups prior to the Week 10 game vs. Washington, to return on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Sherman signed with the Bucs in Week 4 and saw action in three games before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6 at the Philadelphia Eagles. He has yet to play since, with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery to his credit.
“Yeah, right now he’s scheduled to play. Hopefully he doesn’t,” coach Bruce Arians said about Sherman’s status as a backup, and the Bucs being the close to full strength at the position aside from Jamel Dean still being in the concussion protocol.
As of Friday afternoon, both Dean, the Bucs’ third corner behind Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting, and receiver Jaelon Darden were still in the concussion protocol.
Davis, the team’s top corner, played last week for the first time since he suffered a torn quadriceps muscle in Week 4.
Sherman has been assisting the coaching staff and has also been cross-training at safety given the Bucs’ shortage of available personnel at the position. Starter Jordan Whitehead will miss his second straight game after suffering a calf injury in practice last week, while Mike Edwards has two more games until his suspension wraps up.
Arians said Sherman’s handled the transition well.
“Yeah, I would hope so. He’s smart, he’s a DB, so it’s not that hard,” Arians said. “It’s just making the calls and checks and motions. Hopefully he doesn’t have to play safety in this game.”