Shaq Barrett rejoins Bucs after release from Dolphins

Unretired NFL edge rusher Shaquil Barrett is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After Barrett, whom the Miami Dolphins waived from the reserve/retired list Thursday, cleared waivers Friday, he agreed to sign with Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.

Barrett signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in March, retired in July before training camp and wished to come out of retirement in late November. Miami, caught off guard by the request on a short week before playing the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving night, did not activate him before its deadline, nor did the team immediately release him so he could join another team.

The Dolphins (7-8) reversed course on that decision this past week, with coach Mike McDaniel citing the organization did not believe waiving him would create a competitive disadvantage at this point.

The Bucs (8-7) are tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South, with the Falcons holding the tiebreaker. Tampa Bay can still win the division with two weeks remaining.

Barrett never played a down for the Dolphins. He had 45 sacks, made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl in his previous five seasons with the Bucs.

This story will be updated.

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