Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Devin Culp could see his first regular-season action of 2026 after the Minnesota Vikings elevated him from their practice squad ahead of Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The move comes as Minnesota deals with tight-end injuries, creating an opportunity for the former seventh-round pick to contribute.
The Vikings announced Saturday that Culp and wide receiver Jeshaun Jones were elevated to the active roster for the divisional matchup. Culp, who joined Minnesota’s practice squad on October 28, will provide additional depth after starting tight end T.J. Hockenson was ruled out with wrist and chest injuries. Josh Oliver has also been sidelined since suffering a torn biceps in Week 3, leaving Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek as the team’s other available tight ends.
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Tampa Bay originally selected Culp out of Washington in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 246th overall pick. He appeared in 18 games across two seasons with the Buccaneers, recording six receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. Most of that production came during his rookie season, when he caught five passes for 88 yards in five appearances. His lone reception in 2025 was a six-yard touchdown, and he finished that season with 13 appearances.
Despite his receiving ability, Culp never established a consistent offensive role in Tampa Bay. He primarily contributed on special teams, where he gained experience that could help Minnesota decide how to incorporate him into its lineup. With Hockenson and Oliver unavailable, the Vikings have fewer established options at tight end, though Culp’s elevation doesn’t guarantee offensive snaps or a significant receiving workload.
Culp’s departure from Tampa Bay came during the team’s final roster adjustments before the 2026 season. The Buccaneers waived him on August 30, then signed him to their practice squad the next day. His return was short-lived, however, as Tampa Bay released him from the practice squad on September 2. Minnesota eventually signed him on October 28, giving him another opportunity to continue his NFL career.
The Vikings enter Sunday’s matchup at 6-2, facing a 6-3 Packers team in a divisional game at Lambeau Field. While Bartholomew and Yurosek remain options in Minnesota’s offense, Culp’s elevation gives the team another available tight end as it adjusts to Hockenson’s absence. His special-teams experience could also provide a path to playing time without requiring an immediate role in the passing game.
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For Culp, the opportunity represents another chance to earn a role after his time with the Buccaneers ended before the regular season. Whether he contributes primarily on special teams or receives opportunities on offense remains to be seen, but Minnesota’s injury situation has opened the door for the former Tampa Bay draft pick to return to the field.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Former Buccaneers TE Devin Culp could see action with Vikings
