Buccaneers Add Running Back Barika Kpeenu to Practice Squad
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed running back Barika Kpeenu to their 17-man practice squad and released quarterback Brett Rypien, the team announced. The move returns Kpeenu for a second stint with the club following a two-week stay during the preseason. Rypien had been added to the practice squad after Baker Mayfield suffered a right-thumb injury in Week Three. The Buccaneers announced the transaction on Oct. 27, 2026; the source report was published Oct. 27, 2026.
Kpeenu was originally signed as an undrafted free agent after finishing his collegiate career at North Dakota State last fall. He was signed Aug. 16 and then waived in the league-wide roster cutdown on Aug. 30. He appeared in two of Tampa Bay’s three preseason games and handled six handoffs for 24 yards. The move restores a player familiar with the organization to the practice squad.
At North Dakota State, Kpeenu appeared in 47 games with 19 starts and compiled 434 carries for 2,277 yards, a 5.2-yard average, and 32 rushing touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 369 yards and two receiving scores. As a senior in 2025, he rushed for 1,005 yards and 20 touchdowns and was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team. Those statistics are part of the college résumé that led to NFL opportunities as an undrafted rookie.
Brett Rypien was on the Buccaneers’ practice squad for four weeks while Mayfield dealt with the thumb injury. Mayfield returned to action on Sunday at Carolina, and the Buccaneers list Jalon Daniels as his backup on the active roster and Easton Stick on the practice squad. Rypien has previously played for the Broncos, Rams and Bengals. He has appeared in 12 NFL games with four starts.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Buccaneers’ signing of Barika Kpeenu returned a running back familiar with the team to their 17-man practice squad. Kpeenu’s North Dakota State production includes a 1,005-yard, 20-touchdown senior season in 2025 and 2,277 career rushing yards. With Baker Mayfield back in the lineup and Jalon Daniels and Easton Stick listed behind him, Tampa Bay released Brett Rypien from the practice squad. The transaction was announced by the team on Oct. 27, 2026.