TAMPA, United States (AFP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a move to bolster their injury-depleted backfield on Wednesday, signing running back Zack Crockett.
Crockett, 34, has played parts of 13 National Football League seasons with three different teams.
He appeared in all 16 games with the Oakland Raiders last season, rushing for 163 yards on 39 carries.
A 1995 third-round draft selection, Crockett has collected 1,701 yards and 36 touchdowns in 173 career games with the Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.
Crockett figures to provide veteran depth to a Buccaneers squad which has been ravaged by injuries to its backfield.
Leading rusher Carnell Williams will miss the remainder of the season with a torn patellar tendon and top reserve Michael Pittman will be sidelined at least six weeks with a sprained right ankle.
During training camp, the Bucs also lost fullback Mike Alstott to a season-ending neck injury.
Crockett likely will serve as a short-yardage backup to Earnest Graham, who has rushed for 147 yards and three TDs this season.
To make room for Crockett on the active roster, Tampa Bay placed quarterback Chris Simms on injured reserve Wednesday.
Simms suffered a spleen injury in Week Three in 2006, and Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said his slow recovery was a factor in the decision to place him on IR.
"There's nothing he hasn't tried to do to get better," Allen said. "He's just not at full strength yet and we don't anticipate him being at full strength until this offseason."
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