Former Auburn linebacker on his way back for Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt closes in on Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis during an NFL preseason contest on Aug. 20, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
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Former Oxford High School and Auburn standout K.J. Britt returned to practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday after missing the NFL team’s past five games.

Britt had been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in a 21-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 23.

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The linebacker remains on injured reserve, but by returning him to practice, the Buccaneers opened a three-week window during which they can restore Britt to the active roster.

It may not take that long. Britt is the fourth player designated to return from injured reserve this season by Tampa Bay, and each of the previous three returned to the active roster at the end of his first week of practice. The Buccaneers already have an open spot on their 53-player active roster after waiving wide receiver Jaelon Darden on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay had another transaction on Wednesday involving a former Alabama high school star. The Bucs signed safety Nolan Turner from Vestavia Hills High School for their practice squad.

Tampa Bay had waived Turner on Monday to clear a spot on the active roster as safety Logan Ryan came off injured reserve.

An undrafted rookie, Turner has been on the field for 63 special-teams snaps during four games in his first NFL season.

Britt joined the Buccaneers as a fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, and until his injury in October, he had played in every game for Tampa Bay, serving as the top backup for inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David while handling 465 special-teams plays.

An All-State selection at Oxford High School in 2015 and 2016, Britt earned All-SEC recognition at Auburn in 2019. In 2020, Britt sustained a thumb injury in Auburn’s second game that kept him off the field for the Tigers’ remaining nine contests.

The Buccaneers visit the San Francisco 49ers at 3:25 p.m. CST Sunday.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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