Latest news with #Bucs
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs training camp Day 1 medical updates: No timetable for stars on offense
The Bucs roster has reported to Tampa Bay, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Tampa Bay, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in five years. The worst part of football, especially during training camp, is waiting for injury updates as they occur or as players attempt to return from injuries sustained the previous season. In the case of the Bucs, they had to battle the injury bug more than they did any divisional opponent. It will make monitoring injuries throughout camp a big part of our coverage here on Bucs Wire over the next couple of weeks. After day one, the stars on offense who are fighting their way back dominated the news cycle, though Todd Bowles offered updates on most Bucs players who were dealing with injuries.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs training camp notebook, Day 1: Defense making plays early and often
The Bucs roster has reported to Tampa Bay, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Tampa Bay, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in five years. Todd Bowles and Jason Licht have returned, both with contract extensions. Liam Coen is no longer part of the coaching staff, having left to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his place is Josh Grizzard, who has been promoted from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, just as the roster does, which means there is some continuity. The first day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to four key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment. Defense made plays early and often During the offseason, most notably at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said he needed more ball hawks on defense. He knew the Bucs defense needed to force more turnovers, get after the quarterback more efficiently, and in doing so, they would be able to keep the ball in the hands of their explosive offense. If day one's performance was any indication, the defense not only heard Bowles' comments but took them to heart. Bowles shared that Antoine Winfield Jr. picked off Baker Mayfield twice during the first practice session of the year's training camp. Cornerback Bryce Hall, who is returning from injury, also picked off a pass but it was off rookie Connor Bazelak. Bowles shared his excitement about it all when speaking to the media, saying, "We gotta continue, we gotta feed off them." Injury discussions dominate media sessions Whenever you have two of your star players attempting to return from injury, you have to expect to deal with questions dominating the media session. Despite that, Todd Bowles at times seemed caught off guard and grew annoyed with the amount of probing regarding the timeline for the return of both Chris Godwin Jr. and Tristan Wirfs. When it came to Wirfs, Bowles explained that his injury "didn't heal" from the original issue that arose during the 2024 season. Despite telling the media that his sitting out of minicamp and OTAs was precautionary, this indicates that the team knew there was always a possibility of surgery if it didn't heal as anticipated. Bowles insists, though, that there is not much more to it, saying it is not "a murder mystery." For Godwin, it was reported on Tuesday that he underwent a second procedure on his recovering ankle in the Spring, and now his status for Week 1 is also in question. Bowles told the media there is no timetable for his return and that he will continue his rehab as training camp rolls on. Football dads enjoyed practice Todd Bowles remained the focus of the first day of training camp when the team shared a clip on social media showcasing him taking in practice with Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders. Despite it being a closed practice, Bowles invited the former NFL cornerback to Bucs practice so he could watch his son, Bucs safety Shilo Sanders, in his first NFL practice. Sanders spoke to Bowles on the phone when the team called the former Colorado safety to sign him as a UDFA following the 2025 NFL Draft. In the process, they spoke at length, and Bowles confirmed they have a friendship and shared respect for each other. Jalen McMillan is focused heading into his sophomore season Jalen McMillan ended the year on a run that no other rookie wide receiver enjoyed, not even Brian Thomas Jr. or Malik Nabers. He ended the year scoring a touchdown in five straight games, and it led many to believe he was poised for a major boost in targets in his sophomore season. However, that idea was dashed when the team drafted Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Many moved on from McMillan immediately, but he is coming into the new season with a renewed focus. McMillan spoke to the media on Wednesday and shared that he is aiming to weigh between 193 and 197 pounds. He is currently at 194 pounds but may add more to his frame. The former Washington Husky added he is also working on adding new ways to get open in new playcaller Josh Grizzard's offense. All while McMillan acknowledges how good Egbuka is. He isn't shying away from the competition, and it shows that he is ready to earn his role within the offense. Quick hitters
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
AI makes game-by-game predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 season
AI is one of the most controversial tools in the world right now, due to its complex abilities and the way it interacts with all of us. We wanted to find a fun way to use it, though, as training camp gets underway for the Bucs. We asked Grok, the AI created and used on the social media platform X, to predict the Bucs' 2025 season on a game-by-game basis. The Bucs' season in 2025 is going to be a big one in a variety of ways. Both Lavonte David and Mike Evans could be playing their final seasons in pewter as the team looks to secure a second Super Bowl for both men. There is also added pressure on several coaches, such as Todd Bowles, who received an extension, and Josh Grizzard, who was promoted to offensive coordinator. The defense also needs to bounce back in a big way in 2025 after they had a rather forgettable 2024 season. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, if you ask Grok, it paints a picture that Bucs fans will enjoy looking at. Regular Season Predictions
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Bucs put Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs on PUP list
Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs are officially on the team's physically unable to perform list. Neither player was expected to be ready for training camp and the Bucs announced the roster moves involving the players on Tuesday. Godwin is recovering from last season's dislocated ankle and Wirfs recently had knee surgery. Neither player is sure to be available at the start of the regular season and further updates will come as camp unfolds. The Bucs also placed offensive tackle Silas Dzansi, guard Sua Opeta and quarterback Michael Pratt on the PUP list. Linebacker Anthony Walker is on the non-football injury list and defensive tackle Desmond Watson is on the non-football illness list. All seven players are eligible to be activated at any point, but they will not practice until they come off of their respective lists.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Buccaneers 2025 training camp preview: Outside Linebacker
Uncertainty at outside linebacker ahead of training camp has become an annual tradition for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It has been four years since a Bucs edge rusher recorded double-digit sacks, and none of the outside linebackers currently on the roster recorded more than five last year. The Bucs are counting on the continued development of their young players and a key free agent to bolster the pass rush back to the levels it has not reached since their last Super Bowl run. The only big addition the Bucs made this offseason was signing edge Haason Reddick to a one-year deal. Reddick had been a perennial double-digit sack collector until last year, when a contract dispute with the Jets led to a truncated season in which he recorded just one sack. The hope is that Reddick will regain form in a situation free of contract drama. While he skipped most of the offseason programming to train on his own, there is no expectation that Reddick will be a malcontent in training camp, though his veteran status is likely to result in plenty of rest days. Entering his third season, Yaya Diaby is the long-term hope for the Bucs at edge rusher. While he only recorded 4.5 sacks last year, he was among the league's best in total pressures (70) and pass rush win percentage (18.1%) per PFF. His main goal heading into 2025 is to learn how to finish his pass rushes with the quarterback on the ground. Second-year linebacker Chris Braswell is hoping for a breakout of his own. With Joe Tryon-Shoyinka now in Cleveland and Reddick likely playing a pass rush specialist role, Braswell should see the field more than last season. The main newcomer is fourth-round pick David Walker. While he is making a big jump from Central Arkansas to the NFL, Walker was an absolute wrecking ball in college, recording 31 sacks and 63 tackles for a loss over three seasons. Walker lacks ideal length, but he plays with power and tenacity. His draft status all but ensures he will see plenty of action in training camp and the preseason. Veteran Anthony Nelson returns as reliable depth, though he is the last safe outside linebacker spot on the roster. If the Bucs carry six outside linebackers as they did to start the season last year, it will be a climactic battle between Jose Ramirez and Markees Watts. Both are undersized pass rush specialists who have seen limited NFL action over the last two seasons. Watts looked unstoppable in the preseason two years ago, but injuries robbed him of much action last year. Ramirez improved last preseason but made little impact in the little regular season action he got. Whoever wins the battle, his fight still isn't over, as talent at other parts of the roster could make the sixth outside linebacker too much of a luxury.
