The Buccaneers re-signed Orlovsky to a one-year deal Tuesday.||||||| The reserve quarterback appeared in one game for Tampa Bay in 2012, going four of seven for 51 yards.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free agent quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a two-year contract. Orlovsky is the fourth player to sign with Tampa Bay since the start of free agency Tuesday, joining receiver Vincent Jackson, cornerback Eric Wright and All-Pro guard Carl Nicks.||||||| Orlovsky will serve as Josh Freeman's backup after starting five games and appearing in eight overall for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Orlovsky entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick in 2005. He primarily has been a backup in seven years with the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and the Colts. He won two games with Indianapolis in 2011, when he completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Orlovsky could be playing this week on short rest. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback missed Wednesday's practice after his wife, Tiffany, had triplets.||||||| Coach Jim Caldwell said Orlovsky was expected back in town Wednesday night and should practice Thursday. Caldwell would only say Orlovsky was absent for "personal reasons."

Orlovsky made a splash in his first start for Indianapolis but it wasn't enough to keep the Colts from dropping to 0-12 with a 31-24 loss at New England.||||||| Orlovsky, who replaced Curtis Painter as the Colts starter, was 30 of 37 for 353 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat. If he starts again next week, he might have a more difficult time as Baltimore is fifth in the league with 198.6 passing yards allowed per game.