Wright Released By Patriots, Claimed By Bucs

Former Rutgers wide receiver Timothy Wright, who caught 50 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns at Rutgers, was released by the New England Patriots Thursday.

However, the now converted NFL tight end wasn’t out of a job long as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed the Wall, N.J. product off waivers Friday.

Former Rutgers receiver Tim Wright (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Wright will enjoy his second go-around with the Bucs. The two-year veteran was picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2013 by former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, who was the head man of the Bucs at the time. Wright was traded from Tampa along with a fourth round draft pick to New England in August of last year for All-Pro offensive guard Logan Mankins.

The 6-4, 235-pounder caught 26 passes for 259 yards and six touchdowns last season, but the Patriots signed veteran tight ends Fred Davis and Scott Chandler this off season to play alongside star Rob Gronkowski.

Wright won a Super Bowl in his only year with quarterback Tom Brady and company, but the ex-Scarlet Knight will join some familiar faces in Tampa. Considered once to be “Rutgers South” when Schiano was there plucking up numerous Scarlet Knights, Wright will join three other former Rutgers players (long-snapper Andrew DePaola, linebacker Khaseem Greene, and defensive end George Johnson) with the Bucs.

Second year man Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who totaled  21 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns last season as a rookie is poised to be the starter. Former New York Giant Brandon Myers, along with Luke Stocker, and Evan Rodriguez, are listed at tight end along with Wright for the Florida team.