Former All-Pro Jason Pierre-Paul to make return for Bucs in critical game vs. Panthers after 2 seasons away from football
A familiar face will line up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday's critical NFC South tilt against the Carolina Panthers.
The Bucs elevated Jason Pierre-Paul from their practice squad on Saturday, and he's slated to make his 2025 debut in Sunday's game. The former All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher hasn't played in an NFL game since the 2023 season.
Pierre-Paul, 36, came out of retirement to join Tampa Bay's practice squad in early December. Now he'll look to boost the Bucs' pass rush in one of the biggest games of their season.
The Bucs and Panthers enter Sunday's game tied atop the NFC South at 7-7. The winner will have the inside track to the NFC South title and what projects as the division's only playoff berth. They'll face off again in Week 18.
At his peak, Pierre-Paul was one of the NFL's best pass rushers. He was a first-team All-Pro with the New York Giants in 2011 after tallying 16.5 sacks. He joined the Buccaneers in 2018 and played four seasons in Tampa Bay. He made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and was an anchor for the defense that helped lead the Bucs to their second Super Bowl championship that season.
It's unclear how much he has left in the tank at 36 years old on the heels of nearly two full seasons away from football. He tweeted in September that he's in "the best shape of my life, physically, mentally" alongside video of himself working out.
The Bucs are confident enough in his abilities to promote him to the active roster with their season on the line.