Bowers re-signed with the Buccaneers on Tuesday,Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2011 second-round pick will be on his third tour of duty with the team that originally drafted him. Bowers' latest signing was prompted by the ankle injury suffered by defensive tackle Akeem Spence in Week 14. The Clemson product, highly regarded coming out of college, generally underwhelmed during four seasons, accumulating 66 tackles, including 13 for loss, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and six passes defensed over 50 games. Still only 25 years old, Bowers figures to receive modest playing time in Thursday night's road tilt versus the Rams, and has offered only marginal IDP value over his career.

Bowers will be waived Friday, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bowers was given a second chance by the Bucs this summer, signing a one-year, completely unguaranteed contract to return to the franchise that drafted him back in 2011. He recorded a sack and five tackles Thursday night but apparently did not impress the coaching staff enough to warrant a roster spot.

Bowers has been suspended two games for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy. Bowers has been limited to just six tackles and one sack through five games this season. However, as a reserve defensive lineman, Bowers' absence won't impact the Buccaneers' starting lineup.

Bowers (abdomen) is active Sunday versus the Rams, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports. After sitting out Week 1 due to a lingering groin concern, Bowers will make his season debut as a part of the rotation at defensive tackle. Through 39 games across his first three NFL campaigns, he tallied 45 tackles (34 solo), 5.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

Bowers (abdomen) is questionable for Sunday's game against St. Louis. Bowers practiced fully all week, so it seems that he has a decent chance to make his 2014 debut Sunday.

Bowers (groin) practiced Thursday but won't play in Sunday's opener against the Panthers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Bowers, who missed the final three preseason games due to a groin injury, will sit out Week 1, as the Buccaneers and coach Lovie Smith consider the long-term ramifications. In three NFL campaigns, Bowers has underwhelmed, racking up 45 tackles (34 solo), 5.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 39 games.

Bowers (groin) is likely to miss Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, the Tampa Tribune reports. The report suggests that Bowers, who missed the Bucs' second preseason game this past Saturday, needs to get back on the field sooner rather than later, noting that if the defensive lineman's groin injury continues to linger, he could find himself on the Bucs' roster bubble.

Bowers appears to have impressed the Buccaneers' coaching staff with his versatility, as he is listed behind Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle on their initial preseason defensive depth chart, the team's official site reports. Bowers could be deployed as a swing player this season who can rush from the inside or outside as a rotational player. He is likely to receive snaps behind McCoy, but could also see time at the end position when starters Adrian Clayborn and Michael Johnson are off the field.

Bucs GM Jason Licht confirmed 2012 second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers is on thin ice in Tampa Bay. Bowers reported to spring practices out of shape, has been ineffective on the field, and is now off scholarship under a new front office and coaching staff. "I (don't) mean to sound too harsh, but it's a matter of fact that he needs to prove that he wants to make an impact with this football team and I expect that he will," Licht said. Bowers is not in the mix for a starting job.

Bucs DE Da'Quan Bowers showed up to offseason workouts out of shape for the second year in a row. Bowers was ticketed for a starting job last summer but showed up for the offseason program overweight and relinquished the opportunity. He's now simply fighting to keep his roster spot as a rotational end behind Michael Johnson, William Gholston, and Adrian Clayborn. Bowers has 5.5 career sacks through 39 games.