Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed quarterback Byron Leftwich on injured reserve because of an elbow injury and filled his roster spot by signing quarterback Rudy Carpenter from the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys.
Leftwich opened the season as the starting quarterback for the Bucs, but was benched after an 0-3 start. The veteran completed just 54.2 percent of his passes for 594 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Carpenter spent the first 11 weeks of the season with the Cowboys on their practice squad after being cut on September 5. He had a standout career at Arizona State, throwing for 10,491 yards and 81 touchdowns.
The Bucs also released cornerback Mike Mickens and signed wide receiver Terrence Nunn off the practice squad of the New England Patriots.