McElroy heads into Saturday night's preseason game against the Texans with a legitimate chance to unseat Tanner Hudson for a possible No. 4 tight end spot, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The athletic McElroy has made an impression on head coach Bruce Arians in a very important category, that being his blocking. Arians noted "he's gotten better and better" with respect to McElroy's progress in that area, while Hudson, who's paced the Buccaneers in receptions in each of the first two exhibitions, continues to struggle with that aspect of his game. There's still no guarantee Tampa Bay will keep four tight ends, but that decision will likely largely be based on the performance of each player versus Houston.

McElroy, who is battling for a reserve tight end role, has stood out with his sure hands during the first few days of training camp, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The athletic McElroy is an intriguing prospect, considering he played two seasons of minor-league baseball and some college basketball before devoting himself to football on a full-time basis. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Oklahoma State product is already 28 years old and counts a 30-yard grab back in 2019 as his only career NFL reception, but the Buccaneers thought enough of his potential to ink him to a reserve/futures contract in February following a 2020 season on the practice squad. McElroy is competing with fellow incumbent Tanner Hudson and journeyman Jerell Adams for a roster spot, and preseason games could ultimately be the deciding factor on who wins the job battle.

McElroy signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old appeared in one game for Tampa Bay in 2019 and spent most of the 2020 campaign on the practice squad. McElroy will face long odds to make the season-opening roster next season, assuming he sticks around until training camp.

McElroy signed to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old made his NFL debut with the Buccaneers last year and had a 30-yard reception in his lone appearance, but he was waived at roster cutdowns in September. McElroy provides potential depth at tight end with O.J. Howard (Achilles) on injured reserve.

The Buccaneers waived McElroy on Friday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

McElroy made his NFL debut at 27 years old last season, and he hauled in a 30-yard pass. However, with Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate on the roster, McElroy was a longshot to make it past cut day.

McElroy (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against the Falcons, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie tight end made an impact on his one play in Week 16, corralling a 30-yard reception. However, with both O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate healthy for the finale and Tanner Hudson (concussion) returning to back them up, there was no room or need for McElroy in the finale.

McElroy secured his only target for 30 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Texans on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The undrafted rookie made his one catch count, recording the longest gain of the day through the air for the Buccaneers. McElroy is part of an all-hands-on-deck approach for Tampa's pass-catching corps necessitated by multiple injuries at the tail end of the season, and he should therefore have an opportunity showcase his skills working behind starters O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate in Week 17 versus the Falcons.

McElroy was promoted to the Buccaneers' 53-man roster Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McElroy joined Tampa Bay's practice squad in late October and will now get a chance on the active roster for the closing stretch of the season. The 27-year-old is unlikely to see much playing time with O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate and Jordan Leggett currently healthy and ahead of him on the depth chart.

McElroy signed with the Buccaneers' practice squad Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McElroy had a workout with Tampa Bay in late September, but it took some time before he ended up joining the organization. Both O.J. Howard (hamstring) and Cameron Brate (ribs) didn't practice Wednesday, so McElroy provides some added depth at tight end for Tampa Bay.

McElroy (undisclosed) tried out for the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McElroy was recently released with an injury settlement from the Cowboys due to an undisclosed injury, but as evidenced by this news, has shaken off the injury. Now appearing healthy, the 26-year-old will hope to latch on for a depth role elsewhere around the league.