The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a practice squad roster move Tuesday, signing rookie running back Barika Kpeenu and releasing veteran quarterback Brett Rypien.
According to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, Kpeenu returns to Tampa Bay after spending two preseason weeks with the organization. The Buccaneers signed him on August 16 before waiving him during final roster cuts on August 30. He appeared in two preseason games, rushing for 24 yards on six carries.
Kpeenu played collegiately at North Dakota State, appearing in 47 games with 19 starts. He finished his career with 2,277 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 434 carries, along with 35 receptions for 369 yards and two receiving touchdowns. As a senior in 2025, he rushed for 1,005 yards and 20 touchdowns,
earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors.
Rypien joined Tampa Bay's practice squad on September 30 after Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in Week 3. The veteran quarterback spent four weeks with the team and has appeared in 12 NFL games, including four starts.
Mayfield returned to the starting lineup Sunday against Carolina. With rookie Jalon Daniels backing him up and Easton Stick remaining on the practice squad, Tampa Bay now has three quarterbacks in the organization while using Rypien's former practice squad spot to add running back depth.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers bring back rookie RB, release veteran quarterback
