Tampa, FL -- (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed defensive end Patrick Chukwurah to an undisclosed contract.

Chukwurah originally signed with the Bucs on March 3, 2007 as a free agent and appeared in nine games last season. He recorded 16 tackles with one sack.

The Bucs released Chukwurah on June 20, but had an opening on the defensive line after trading Marques Douglas to Baltimore on Wednesday.

Before signing with the Buccaneers last year, Chukwurah played two seasons (2001-02) with the Minnesota Vikings and four (2003-06) with the Denver Broncos.