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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Likely healthy for training camp
Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:03 PM
Irving is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and while he isn't expected to take part in mandatory minicamp June 16-18, he'll likely be healthy during training camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Irving was present for the Buccaneers' first OTA on Tuesday but was merely a spectator, and afterward coach Todd Bowles said that the third-year running back is in line to return in "summer or fall," according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. Last season, Irving sat out Weeks 5-12 due to a shoulder subluxation and sprained foot, but after getting back in the fold Week 13, he took on a normal workload down the stretch (113 touches for 435 yards from scrimmage and two total TDs over the final six games). Tampa Bay let Rachaad White move on in free agency and replaced him with Kenneth Gainwell, who, along with holdover Sean Tucker, will handle most of the first-team reps during the offseason program and even into training camp until Irving is good to go. |
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Back to full health
Tue, May 26, 2026, 2:11 PM
Mauch told reporters Tuesday that he's fully recovered from his knee injury, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Mauch appeared in just two games during Tampa Bay's 2025 campaign due to a knee injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The 27-year-old is expected to operate the Buccaneers' top right guard during the 2026 season. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving May not be ready until 'summer or fall'
Tue, May 26, 2026, 1:48 PM
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Irving (shoulder) is expected back in "summer or fall," River Wells of Bucs Gameday.
Analysis: This is less optimistic than the team's stance just a few weeks ago, when it was reported that Irving could be limited during the offseason program. He watched from the sideline Tuesday at the first on-field session of OTAs, and Bowles' comments afterward suggest Irving won't be ready for practice until training camp -- if then. Irving missed a chunk of last season with a dislocated shoulder, eventually undergoing surgery at an undisclosed date this offseason. While Bowles' comment isn't necessarily cause for panic, it does seem like the Bucs want to be cautious with Irving after his injury-riddled 2025. The team signed Kenneth Gainwell and re-signed Sean Tucker, both of whom figure to see plenty of first-team reps while Irving finishes up his rehab this summer. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Not practicing yet
Tue, May 26, 2026, 12:28 PM
Irving (shoulder) is present at OTAs but isn't participating in on-field work yet, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Irving watched Tuesday's practice from the sideline before heading inside with a member of the training staff. He's recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, temporarily leaving Tampa's first-team backfield reps in the capable hands of fellow veterans Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. Reports from earlier in May suggested Irving was unlikely to do much at the offseason program, with training camp being the real target. For now, he'll focus on finishing up his rehab and mastering schematic changes under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Shoulder injury still lingering
Wed, May 13, 2026, 11:00 AM
The Buccaneers announced Tuesday that Irving (shoulder) may not be fully cleared for the start of OTAs, Andrew Harbaugh of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Irving missed seven games from Week 2 to Week 12 due to a combination of shoulder and foot/ankle injuries in 2025. Though he returned for Tampa Bay's final six regular-season games, the 2024 fourth-rounder shared snaps with Sean Tucker (re-signed) and Rachaad White (signed with Commanders) and never quite looked fully healthy. The shoulder injury required an offseason procedure to address and Irving isn't yet cleared to practice, though Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports that his rehab is proceeding on schedule. Per Auman, Irving is expected to be limited during OTAs, which will take place between late May and early June, before being fully cleared for the start of training camp in July. Presumably, he will also be limited at mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. Tampa Bay added Kenneth Gainwell to the backfield via a two-year, $14 million contract in free agency, positioning Irving to face increased competition for touches, especially for change-of-pace work and third-down scenarios. |
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Ted Hurst Ted Hurst Viewed as true X receiver
Tue, May 12, 2026, 1:39 PM
Speaking with the media Tuesday, new Bucs OC Zac Robinson said third-round rookie Hurst is viewed as a "true X" receiver in Tampa Bay, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Hurst has the size at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds and the long-range speed (4.42-second forty) to run the downfield routes vacated by Mike Evans, who is one of this generation's prototypical X receivers. The Bucs used the 84th overall pick on Hurst, who likely would've gone sooner if he'd faced stiffer college competition instead of playing at Georgia State. Hurst drew some Nico Collins comparisons in the pre-draft process. His main competition for playing time in three-wide sets figures to be Jalen McMillan. |
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Emeka Egbuka Emeka Egbuka Will focus on Z receiver spot
Tue, May 12, 2026, 10:56 AM
New Bucs OC Zac Robinson said Tuesday that Egbuka will focus on the Z receiver position in 2026 after moving around the formation as a rookie last season, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin missing a combined 17 regular-season games to injuries last season, Egbuka was forced into multiple roles as a rookie. Godwin split time between the slot and out wide on his 428 offensive snaps, but he figures to play mostly a slot role in three-wide sets under Robinson, who talked up third-round rookie Ted Hurst (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) as a prototypical X receiver Tuesday. After Egbuka got off to a hot start last season, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and dealt with the issue for multiple weeks despite not missing a contest. Full health and a dedicated position should help him return to form in his second campaign. |
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Headed to Tampa Bay
Mon, May 11, 2026, 4:15 PM
The Buccaneers signed Calloway as an undrafted free agent Monday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Calloway played for Old Dominion and California before transferring to New Mexico State in 2025 to round out his college career. The running back rushed 115 times for 438 yards and three touchdowns, adding 26 receptions for 175 yards over 12 games for the Aggies. Calloway apparently had a strong enough rookie minicamp tryout with the team that keeping him around for now is a must. If the 5-foot-11, 211-pound running back can continue to prove his worth, he may slip into a spot on the 53-man roster for the start of the regular season. |
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Signs with Tampa Bay
Mon, May 11, 2026, 3:31 PM
The Buccaneers signed Patterson as an undrafted free agent Monday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Patterson played four years at Florida International before transferring to Georgia Tech for the 2025 season. The wide receiver accumulated 150 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions over 13 games in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder impressed enough at the team's rookie minicamp last week to earn a spot on the roster during the offseason program. |
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Noah Short Noah Short Joins Bucs
Fri, May 8, 2026, 7:07 PM
Short signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: The Buccaneers are currently listing Short as a wide receiver, but he served in more of a "slot back" role in Army's triple-option offense. Ultimately, Short led the team with 32 receptions for 438 receiving yards and added 98 carries for 571 yards and a touchdown. He subsequently produced an impressive 4.43 40-yard dash at his pro day. Short brings a unique skill set to the Buccaneers, but he'll need a dominant offseason program and training camp to crack the 53-man roster. |
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Packs for Tampa
Fri, May 8, 2026, 7:00 PM
Fletcher signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: Fletcher spent his first two seasons at Rutgers on the defensive line before switching to tight end for his junior and senior seasons. In 2025, Fletcher caught 26 passes for 236 yards and no touchdowns. There are five tight ends currently ahead of him on the Buccaneers depth chart; all were drafted by the team since 2022. |
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Jalon Daniels Jalon Daniels Heads to Tampa
Fri, May 8, 2026, 6:55 PM
Daniels signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: A six-year player at Kansas, Daniels finished the 2025 season by completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,531 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 404 yards (3.5 YPC) and four touchdowns on the ground. He has decent mobility with a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he needs to tidy up his work as a passer to have a shot in the NFL. Daniels will battle against Connor Bazelak for the No. 3 QB job behind Baker Mayfield and Jake Browning. |
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Fifth-year option excercised
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 3:42 PM
The Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on Kancey's contract Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Kancey was sidelined for most of the 2025 season due to a pectoral injury he suffered in Week 2, but the defensive tackle's output has been more than satisfactory for the Buccaneers to justify spending the $14.475 million required to retain him through 2027. The 2023 first-round pick has accumulated 54 tackles (41 solo), including 11.5 sacks, through 29 career regular-season games thus far. With the team selecting linebacker Rueben Bain in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bucs will be acquiring an influx of talent on the defensive line that should only increase Kancey's potential for production this season. |
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Jalen McMillan Jalen McMillan More talent added to wideout room
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:43 AM
McMillan is expected to face increased competition for playing time and targets after Tampa Bay used a third-round pick on Ted Hurst in the 2026 NFL Draft, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The Bucs continued to shake up their wide receiver room by selecting Hurst with the 84th overall pick last Friday. Over the offseason, the team has subtracted Mike Evans, who signed with the 49ers in free agency, and added Hurst to a group that still includes Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, McMillan and Tez Johnson. McMillan missed most of last season with a neck injury before making his debut in Week 15. In four regular-season games, McMillan produced a respectable 12-178-0 line on 15 targets. Egbuka faded fast after a big first half of the campaign, and Godwin didn't look anything like his old self after breaking his ankle in 2024. How this depth chart shakes out during training camp and the preseason will be something to watch for an offense that likes to throw the football. |
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Lands with Buccaneers
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 3:19 PM
The Buccaneers selected Sharp in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 185th overall.
Analysis: Sharp made three different stops during his college career, starting out at a lower level at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to Oklahoma in 2024 and on to LSU in 2025. In his final college campaign with LSU, Bauer compiled 24 grabs for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sharp lacks some of the athleticism to make plays downfield, but he works well underneath and is a solid blocker. Cade Otton remains entrenched atop the Bucs' depth chart at tight end and Payne Durham is likely aligned behind him, but Sharp could compete with Devin Culp for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, and the former also figures to be a special-teams candidate. |
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Picked by Tampa Bay
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 2:01 PM
The Buccaneers selected Schrauth in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 160th overall.
Analysis: Schrauth boasts solid size (6-5, 310 pounds) and athletic ability, and he started 19 games over his last two seasons at Notre Dame. However, he also missed a significant chunk of contests during his college career, so there is some reason to question his ability to stay healthy. Schrauth does a good job staying in front of defenders but can struggle on occasion getting to quicker rushers and linebackers, and his arm length isn't deal for his position, which can cause some issues. Schrauth will slot into a depth role on the Buccaneers' offensive line, perhaps developing into a contributing role. |
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Nabbed by Buccaneers
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 1:47 PM
The Buccaneers selected Capehart in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 155th overall.
Analysis: Capehart boasts an ample frame (6-foot-5, 313 pounds) and played 1-technique at Clemson, so there is some potential here for Capehart to develop, but he wasn't a full-time starter in college. The Bucs are taking a lottery ticket on a guy with plenty of potential. However, after racking up 21 tackles and 3.0 sacks as a senior, Capehart will likely require some development. |
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Taken by Tampa Bay
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:01 PM
The Buccaneers selected Scott in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 116th overall.
Analysis: Scott will turn 25 years old prior to the start of the regular season and boasts the experience necessary to hit the ground running as a rookie, making him a candidate to carve out a rotational role in Tampa Bay's secondary early. After beginning his collegiate career at the junior college level, Scott transferred Auburn, where he handled a versatile role split between the slot and outside corner spots from 2022-24. In his sole year with Miami, he truly broke out as an aggressive hybrid nickel, totaling a career-best 64 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, plus seven passes defensed including two interceptions. He'll likely spend the offseason competing to carve out a rotational role behind 2025 third-round pick Jacob Parrish, who was productive as the Buccaneers' top slot corner in his rookie year. |
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Picked by Tampa Bay
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 9:28 PM
The Buccaneers selected Hurst in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 84th overall.
Analysis: Hurst probably fell this far out of plain-old bias against small-school players, and if so the Buccaneers should consider themselves lucky that the Georgia State star fell to them in the third round. He's big at 6-foot-4, 206 pounds and has the long-range speed (4.42-second 40) to thrive as a downfield-oriented 'X' receiver. The Buccaneers lost Mike Evans this offseason, but Hurst really does pose a similar dynamic, comparing more closely yet to Nico Collins. |
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Taken by Tampa Bay
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 7:11 PM
The Buccaneers selected Trotter in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 46th overall.
Analysis: Trotter will join Tampa Bay's first-round selection Rueben Bain to immediately revitalize head coach Todd Bowles' defense. After beginning his collegiate career at West Virginia, where he emerged as a starter in 2024, Trotter transferred to Missouri in 2025 and earned first-team All-SEC honors while leading the team with 84 tackles. The Buccaneers pursued a pair of established veterans in Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom during free agency to anchor the inside linebacker position, but Trotter's proclivity for production as a run stopper may make it difficult to keep him out of the rotation. Having the benefit of a rookie year to develop prior to competing for starting snaps could help Trotter improve his skills in coverage. |
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