Lynch signed a contract with the Buccaneers on Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch joined the Rams in December after being released by the Buccaneers, but is now returning to the team he started the 2017 season with. The 24-year-old should be a special teams contributor and depth linebacker for Tampa Bay.

Lynch signed a contract with the Rams on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch was released by the Buccaneers at the start of December, and it only took about a week to latch on with another team. The 24-year-old is likely to serve a role as a special teams player with the Rams, but Alec Ogletree (elbow) and Connor Barwin (forearm) are both questionable for Sunday, so will also provide some necessary depth at linebacker.

Lynch was released by the Buccaneers on Saturday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old linebacker is being jettisoned due to the team's need to reinforce the offensive line depth chart ahead of Sunday's Week 13 tilt against the Packers. The Buccaneers placed both Demar Dotson and Ali Marpet on injured reserve this past week with knee injuries, while Joe Hawley is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest with an illness. Lynch has been a special teams player almost exclusively in his 23 games with Tampa over the last two seasons and was second on the club with five tackles on kick return coverage through the first 11 games of the season.

Lynch, who's been competing for the strong-side linebacker job, has made the Bucs' initial 53-man roster, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch was impressive in the exhibition finale against the Redskins with seven total tackles and showed enough throughout camp and prior preseason contests to remain in the conversation for the starting strong-side linebacker job. The final word on who won the battle between Lynch, Adarius Glanton and Kendell Beckwith is yet to be revealed, but it appears Lynch will have a chance to serve as a depth option and special teams asset at a minimum to open the season.

Lynch totaled seven tackles (four solo) in Thursday's 13-10 preseason loss to the Redskins.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch saw action on a total of 41 snaps and acquitted himself well, but also saw Adarius Glanton, one of his main competitors for the starting strong-side linebacker role, pace the team in tackles. If he doesn't win the job, the 24-year-old could stick as a reserve linebacker option that also sees time on special teams.

Lynch remains in the mix for the starting strong-side linebacker job entering Thursday's exhibition finale against the Redskins, Joe Kania of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch logged three solo stops in Saturday's preseason loss to the Browns while logging a total of 30 snaps on defense, as well as another 13 on special teams. The 24-year-old Syracuse product saw some practice time with the first-team defense in camp as a result of Devante Bond's extended absence due to a knee injury. Lynch comes into 2017 with only seven career tackles (six solo) on his resume over his first pair of NFL campaigns, a total he's matched in the first trio of exhibitions.

Lynch saw time with the first-team defense during Tuesday's joint practice with the Jaguars, Joe Kania of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

With projected starting strongside linebacker Devante Bond sidelined with a leg injury during the first two days of joint practices versus the Jaguars, both rookie Kendell Beckwith and now Lynch have had the opportunity to run with the starters. The 24-year-old Lynch appeared in 12 games for the Bucs last season, logging three tackles (two solo) over just nine snaps on defense. However, he saw plenty of time on special teams, logging 214 snaps on various coverage and return units. While Beckwith's pedigree, measurables and performance thus far would likely give him the edge to beat out Bond, the Bucs apparently want to see what Lynch -- who enjoyed a productive career at Syracuse -- can do against top competition.

Lynch was signed to the Bucs practice squad Tuesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old played in all 16 games for the Rams last season, tallying four special-teams tackles. Lynch totaled 243 tackles (173 solo), including 31.5 for loss, 17 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over 37 career games at Syracuse from 2011-2014.