Carl Nassib, the first openly gay active NFL player, signs with Buccaneers

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib during a game against the Atlanta Falcons. (John Bazemore/AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed outside linebacker Carl Nassib, who became the NFL's first active player to come out as gay in 2021, reuniting him with the team he played for in 2018 and 2019.

Nassib joined the Buccaneers in Nashville, where they are practising Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Saturday night's exhibition. Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Nassib is tough in the run.

"He's a very good pass-rusher on the outside and he can also play inside in some nickel situations,'' Bowles said. "He has a lot of versatility, he brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of toughness and he understands the system. He was comfortable in it. We look forward to him coming here.''

Outside linebacker Cam Gill is dealing with a Lisfranc injury from the Bucs' pre-season opener.

Nassib spent the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders after playing 29 combined games with Tampa Bay during 2018 and 2019. Nassib started his career with Cleveland after being a third-round draft pick out of Penn State in 2016.

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