The Buccaneers have elevated Easton Stick from the practice squad for Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys, giving the team another quarterback option while Baker Mayfield remains unavailable.
It is the second elevation for Stick since signing with the Buccaneers’ practice squad on Aug. 31, and it comes at a point where depth at the position has become a genuine issue. Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb against the Vikings in Week 3 and will miss at least one more game.
Easton Stick gets another chance
Stick now has the opportunity to suit up again after arriving in Tampa Bay this season. The move makes him eligible for the game and gives the Buccaneers insurance behind the current starter, Jalon Daniels.
There is also a clear reason why the coaching staff may feel comfortable leaning on him if needed. Stick spent time in Zac Robinson’s system last season in Atlanta, so there is already some familiarity between the quarterback and the offense.
Why the Buccaneers made the move
Stick was originally a fifth-round pick by the Chargers in 2019, and his NFL résumé gives the Buccaneers a quarterback who has at least been through the demands of regular-season action. He has played in six games, making four starts, and has completed 111 of 174 passes for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception with an 85.7 passer rating.
That background matters here because Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys is not the time to be short on options. Even if Stick is not the first choice to take the field, having a quarterback with some live experience is a practical step when the starter is sidelined.
The Buccaneers also activated J.J. Roberts from the practice squad. Unlike Stick, Roberts had never appeared in a regular-season game before this move, underlining just how much of this decision was about protecting the roster for the short term.
For Tampa Bay, the immediate question is simple: can the team manage until Mayfield is ready to return? For now, the answer is to add depth, keep options open and trust that Stick can be ready if called upon on Thursday night.
