Linebacker Shaquil Barrett, one day after being waived by the Miami Dolphins, is set to rejoin the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple media reports on Friday night.
Barrett, 32, has not played in an NFL game this season. He last played for the Buccaneers from 2019 to 2023, earning two Pro Bowl selections, including one in 2019 when he led the league with 19.5 sacks.
Tampa Bay released Barrett in February, and he signed with the Dolphins a month later. However, he retired from football in July. Last month, Barrett applied for reinstatement but never returned to the Dolphins, who placed him on waivers this week.
Last season, Barrett played 16 games for the Buccaneers, starting all of them. He recorded 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and two passes defensed.
Barrett began his career with the Denver Broncos (2015-2018) and has played in 131 career NFL games, starting 85. He has 400 tackles, 59 sacks, three interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and 18 passes defensed.
The Buccaneers (8-7) are tied for first place in the NFC South with the Falcons (8-7) ahead of their Sunday home game against the Carolina Panthers. However, Atlanta holds the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series with Tampa Bay, which is the first tiebreaker for playoff seeding.
