Moving to fill the short-term void created by right tackle Demar Dotson's injury, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to a two-year deal with veteran Gosder Cherilus, a league source told ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.
The contract is for two years and potentially worth $7 million, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. Upon signing Monday, Cherilus received a $500,000 roster bonus. He has a $1.5 million base salary and can earn another $500,000 -- slightly more than $41,600 per week, the source said -- if he plays in the first 12 games.
Dotson suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan on Monday. He could miss approximately six weeks but will not need surgery.
"Demar's on crutches right now,'' coach Lovie Smith told reporters on Monday. "He's going to be out for a period of time. Hopefully it's not a long period of time, but he will be out for a while.''
Cherilus, who was the Indianapolis Colts' starter at right tackle the past two seasons, was released by the team the past month. The 31-year-old Cherilus had offseason knee surgery, which kept him from taking part in the Colts' organized team activities, including a mandatory three-day minicamp in June.
Cherilus was one of the main 2013 free-agent acquisitions by the Colts. He signed a five-year, $34 million contract but failed to live up to that, despite starting 29 games the past two seasons. He battled knee, shoulder and groin problems the past season, before eventually being placed on injured reserve prior to the playoffs.
ESPN.com's Mike Wells contributed to this report.