The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have waived defensive lineman Lwal Uguak from injured reserve (IR) with an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Uguak, who was dealing with an undisclosed injury, had originally been placed on IR on August 28 after being waived with an injury designation. This move initially meant that he would miss the entire 2024 season, but the injury settlement now gives him the opportunity to join another team once he recovers.
When a player is placed on injured reserve, they are generally ineligible to play for the remainder of the season unless they are later designated to return. In Uguak’s case, the injury settlement allows for an exception to this rule. The settlement is a financial agreement between the player and the team, where the team compensates the player for the estimated recovery time. Once the agreed-upon period has passed, the player can be cleared to sign with a new team and resume their career. In this instance, Uguak will be eligible to join another NFL team once he is fully healthy.
Uguak, an undrafted free agent, signed with the Buccaneers after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Prior to joining the NFL, Uguak played college football for the University of Connecticut and the University of TCU. He stood out as a solid defensive lineman, showcasing strong potential with his size, strength, and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Despite not being drafted, Uguak was seen as a promising prospect who could develop into a reliable contributor on an NFL defense.
Unfortunately, his path to the NFL has been temporarily derailed by injury. Being waived with an injury designation and subsequently placed on IR would have sidelined him for the season, but the injury settlement opens the door for a quicker return. Once Uguak is fully healed, he will have the chance to sign with a new team and continue his pursuit of a professional career in football.
For now, Uguak’s focus will be on rehabilitation and recovery. His prospects of returning to the NFL remain positive, as he could still attract interest from teams in need of defensive line depth once he is back to full health. The injury settlement ensures he won’t be stuck on injured reserve for the entire season, giving him a fresh opportunity to resume his career in the near future.