Troy Niklas
College: Notre Dame
Drafted: 2014 / Rd. 2 (52)
Draft Team: ARZ
Troy Niklas: Receives injury settlement
The Buccaneers released Niklas (leg) with an injury settlement Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction report.
Analysis: Niklas suffered tough luck this offseason, when he sustained a leg injury in the first training camp practice July 29. The 26-year-old was already placed on injured reserve by the Buccaneers, and is now free to sign with any team.
August 6, 2019 4:46 PM EST
Troy Niklas: Reverts to IR
Niklas (leg) cleared waivers and reverted to injured reserve Monday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio reports.
Analysis: Niklas was waived with an injury designation by Tampa Bay on Sunday, but he ends up on IR after going unclaimed on waivers. The 26-year-old will remain there for the rest of the season unless he reaches an injury settlement.
July 29, 2019 5:10 PM EST
Troy Niklas: Waived with injury designation
The Buccaneers waived Niklas (leg) with an injury designation Sunday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The veteran tight end had joined the Buccaneers on the eve of training camp last week, but he sustained a leg injury in Friday's opening practice. Niklas wasn't able to return to the field over the weekend, making him a natural candidate for release when the team needed a roster spot to ink Vincent Testaverde as an extra training camp arm. Niklas primarily profiles as a blocking tight end after recording just 19 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns during his four seasons with the Cardinals between 2013 and 2017.
July 29, 2019 9:18 AM EST
Troy Niklas: Lands with Buccaneers
Niklas signed a contract with the Buccaneers on Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Niklas did not stick to an NFL roster during the 2018 campaign but played a depth role in Arizona from 2014 to 2017. Across those four seasons he appeared in 41 games, recording 19 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown. With Cameron Brate entrenched as the top backup to O.J. Howard in Tampa Bay, Niklas will compete for a depth role.