Tampa Bay apparently has not given up on DT Dre Moore.

Although Tampa Bay cut its fourth round draft pick, Moore was signed to Tampa Bay’s practice squad on Sunday. Brian Mackler, Moore’s agent, confirmed the signing late Sunday evening.

Tampa Bay traded up in the fourth round with Chicago (120th to 115th) to draft Moore, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle from Maryland who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Moore started 13 games at weakside defensive tackle last season, leading his team with six sacks for 41 yards, the most in a season at Maryland since Shawne Merriman had 8.5 sacks in 2004. Moore recorded 63 tackles, with 8.5 stops for losses of 45 yards, and had two quarterback pressures. He was selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team.

Moore originally was projected to be a first-round pick, but his stock dropped when scouts watched film and believed he did not play hard on every down. He then showed up to Tampa Bay out of shape, which did not please Tampa Bay’s coaches. Moore did not progress the way Tampa Bay hoped, which resulted in him being released and signed to the practice squad. 

If Moore improves, he could one day replace Chris Hovan, but will have a year to learn and show coaches he is serious about football.