January 24 Updates
Heading into the 2023 season, the Buccaneers' offensive line was something of a question mark. Or, to put it more accurately, a series of question marks.
Only one of the five designated starters was playing the same position he had in 2022, and that wasn't the original plan, as the Bucs anticipated Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen returning to the lineup after a season lost to a knee injury. When that didn't happen, third-year man Robert Hainsey reprised his role at the pivot. Meanwhile, Tristan Wirfs moved from right tackle to left tackle, and at one point in training camp revealed that the switch had exacted a mental toll on him. Luke Goedeke, who primarily played guard as a rookie in 2022, replaced Wirfs at right tackle and rookie second-rounder Cody Mauch stepped right in as the starter at right guard. Matt Feiler, one of the team's few offseason veteran additions, started the season at left guard but got hurt and was eventually replaced permanently by Aaron Stinnie.
That's a lot of moving parts on a unit that absolutely requires cohesiveness to be effective, but somehow it came together. Wirfs, who was named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl at his new position – after two Pro Bowl season on the right side – marveled that it all came together as well as it did.
"Hainsey in his second year playing center; we had two left guards; Cody, a rookie right guard; Luke in his first year in the NFL playing tackle," Wirfs noted on Monday, the day after the Bucs' elimination in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. "You look at it, we shouldn't have done s*. I'm so proud of all our guys. I love them to death. I think we're a pretty scrappy group."
The Bucs ranked 14th in sack rate allowed and Baker Mayfield had time to throw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. The run game took a while to get on track but was reliable down the stretch and quite good in the playoffs, where it averaged 104 yards per game and 4.7 yards per tote.
Wirfs, Hainsey, Goedeke and Mauch are all under contract for 2024, so there's a good chance the Bucs will have a lot more continuity heading into next season than they did five months ago. Wirfs and Goedeke plan to get a head start on that by staying in Tampa through the offseason to work out together.
"Damn right – me and Luke, all offseason we're here together training," said Wirfs. "It's a lot of fun getting to train with your buddy – go train, go eat, go home, whatever, all offseason. It's fun having him around and I think we get some damn good work in. I'm looking forward to it. He had an incredible year for what last year was. He deserves his flowers, the lineup he went against – Danielle Hunter, Week One, Haason Reddick, Aidan Hutchinson twice, Nick Bosa. He had a really good year. I'm super proud of him."
CLICK HERE for more of Tristan Wirfs' thoughts on the day after the game in Detroit, including his relationship with Baker Mayfield.
January 22 Updates
Lavonte David had a typically strong outing in the Buccaneers' 31-23 Divisional Round loss at Detroit on Sunday, leading all players with 13 tackles and adding a sack and two tackles for loss. He became the first player in franchise history to record 10 or more tackles and a sack in a postseason outing.
It's possible that outstanding performance will be the last game in David's career as a Buccaneer. As was the case a year ago, the 12th-year linebacker is due to become a free agent in March. David will turn 34 on Tuesday but his level of play in 2023 suggested a much younger player. Count Head Coach Todd Bowles among the many who hope that David will be playing in red and pewter again next fall.
"Love to have him back," said Bowles. "He's one of my favorite players I've ever coached. Don't even look at his age; he plays timeless. He plays timeless football. He plays it the right way, he prepares the right way. He's the ultimate professional."
During the regular season, David led the team with 134 tackles, marking the 10th time in his 12 NFL seasons that he has hit triple digits in that category. He also filled out his stat line with 4.5 sacks (his most in a season since 2016), a team-leading 17 tackles for loss, five passes defensed and a forced fumble. David's career total of 1,480 tackles is second in Buccaneer history only to Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.
January 19 Updates
Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (ankle) and running back Chase Edmonds (toe) appeared to be the Buccaneers' two most pressing injury concerns after the first two days of practice in preparation for Sunday's Divisional Round game in Detroit. The Bucs held walk-throughs on Wednesday and Thursday but the team estimated both Barrett and Edmonds as non-participants on both days.
After practice on Friday, however, Head Coach Todd Bowles sounded an optimistic note for both players.
"They're still questionable, but hopefully trending the right way," said Bowles, prior to the Bucs releasing an official injury report. Given that assessment, Barrett and Edmonds seem likely to get "questionable" designations for their game status.
Barrett missed the Buccaneers' Week 17 game against New Orleans with a groin injury but has returned to play in the last two contests. He led the team with six quarterback pressures in the 32-9 Wild Card round win over the Eagles. Barrett finished the regular season with with 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, an interception, two passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
Edmonds spent four games on injured reserve early in the season due to a knee injury but has played in the last 12 contests. He has emerged as the primary backup to Rachaad White, logging 49 carries for 176 yards and 14 catches for 81 yards during the regular season. White and Edmonds are the only Buccaneer backs who have taken offensive snaps in the last nine games.
CLICK HERE to check out Coach Bowles' Friday media session.
January 13 Updates
On Friday afternoon, the Buccaneers will put out a final injury report for their Wild Card game against the Eagles on Monday. Immediately after practice, however, Head Coach Todd Bowles painted an encouraging picture about his team's roster health as the playoffs begin.
"Everybody's good to go," said Bowles.
The Bucs' most pressing concern, of course, are the ribs and ankle injuries that quarterback Baker Mayfield has incurred over the last two weeks. Those issues have limited him in practice this week but Bowles has apparently seen enough to be confident he will be on the field Monday night, especially with more than 48 hours of recovery time left.
"A couple days' rest will do him good," said Bowles. "Obviously, he hasn't been hit yet, so we're going to try to keep him clean. But he's feeling good. He's ready to go."
As Bowles noted, the Buccaneers will do their best to keep Eagles defenders off of Mayfield, because a hard hit could aggravate either of those injuries and create a new set of problems.
"If he gets hit, it will probably affect his throw," said Bowles.
January 12 Updates
The Associated Press revealed its 2023 NFL All-Pro teams on Friday and they included two Buccaneers. Antoine Winfield Jr. was one of the two safeties on the first team, while wide receiver Mike Evans received second-team honors.
Winfield and Evans weren't the only two Buccaneers to receive votes in the All-Pro balloting process, however. Five others garnered support: left tackle Tristan Wirfs, linebacker Lavonte David, kicker Chase McLaughlin, punter Jake Camarda and special teamer Josh Hayes.
The Associated Press collects ballots from 50 sportswriters, each of whom places votes for first and second at each position. At some positions, such as safety and receiver, each writer places first and second votes for multiple players. A first-place vote counts as three points and a second-place vote delivers one point. The players with the top points totals at each position (or top two or three, depending upon the position) are named to the first team, and the next players on the list are named to the second team. Thus, a number of players receive votes but do not make either team.
David and Wirfs each pulled in four votes, and one of David's was a first-place vote. David finished the season with 133 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five passes defensed and a forced fumble. Wirfs made a successful transition from right tackle, where he had previously won first-team AP All-Pro honors, to left tackle.
McLaughlin got three votes, including two first-place selections. He set a Buccaneer single-season record for field goal percentage (93.5%) by making 29 of his 31 field goals, including five from 55 yards or longer. He also made all 33 of his extra point tries.
Camarda and Hayes got one vote each, and Camarda's was a first-place choice. He recorded a gross punting average of 50.1 yards and a net of 41.8 and twice tied the Buccaneers' record for longest punt with 74-yarders. Hayes led the Bucs with 14 kick-coverage tackles.
CLICK HERE for a closer look at Antoine Winfield Jr.'s first-team All-Pro selection.
January 10 Updates
On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus revealed its 2023 NFL All-Pro Team, and Buccaneers occupied two of the 27 first-team spots.
Antoine Winfield was one of the two players selected at the safety spot, along with Atlanta's Jessie Bates. At kicker, PFF went with Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin as it's first-team pick.
PFF noted that Winfield was their highest-rated safety in 2023, with a grade of 92.5, pointing out that he had 6.0 sacks and their seventh-best coverage grade. Winfield finished the regular season with 122 tackles, 6.0 sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, but was not voted into the Pro Bowl.
McLaughlin set a Buccaneer single-season record with a 93.5% success rate on field goals, making 29 of his 31 attempts. His only two misses of the season were blocked kicks, and he was seven for eight on tries of 50 yards or longer, including five for five from 55 or longer. McLaughlin also made all 33 of his extra point attempts.
CLICK HERE to read about Winfield also being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
January 9 Updates
Veteran defensive lineman Deadrin Senat has returned to the Buccaneers' practice squad after being on the active roster for three games. The team waived Senat last Friday to open a spot on the 53-man roster for wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, who was activated from injured reserve.
To make room for Senat on the 16-man practice squad, the Bucs released linebacker Vi Jones. Jones has had two stints on Tampa Bay's practice squad, totaling six weeks.
Senat has appeared in three games this season, including two after he was a game day elevation from the practice squad. He logged 18 snaps on defense and recorded one tackle. Senat also played 12 games for the Buccaneers in 2022 and contributed 17 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. He was originally a third-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2018 and he played in 22 games with two starts for Atlanta.
CLICK HERE for a complete list of Buccaneer transactions.
January 6 Updates
In the NFL, Friday injury reports are often referred to as the "final" ones of the week leading up to a Sunday game. However, changes are occasionally made on Saturday, and in Week 18 the Buccaneers have made two of them.
Outside linebacker Cam Gill, who was unlimited in practice throughout the week, was added to the report on Saturday due to a knee issue. He is considered questionable to play against the Panthers on Sunday.
In addition, linebacker K.J. Britt, who was originally listed as questionable due to a calf injury he suffered in practice on Friday, has now been downgraded to doubtful.
The Buccaneers also reported that cornerback Carlton Davis has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. He remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Davis has missed one game due to the concussion he sustained in the Bucs' Week 16 win over Jacksonville.
CLICK HERE to review the Bucs' entire Week 18 injury report.
January 5 Updates
The Buccaneers have nine players on their Week Nine injury report, four of whom were limited in practice on Thursday, but it appears they won't have any pressing injury concerns when they head to Carolina this weekend for a win-or-go-home game.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is dealing with a ribs injury suffered near the end of last Sunday's game against the Saints, and he was too sore to practice on Wednesday had the team held a full-speed workout. However, he participated in a limited fashion on Thursday and was apparently nimble enough on Friday for Head Coach Todd Bowles to be confident he'll be unlimited against the Panthers.
"He's full go," said Bowles after Friday's practice. "He'll be ready to go on Sunday. We expect him to be the same as he always was."
Cornerback Carlton Davis (concussion) and tight end Ko Kieft (shoulder) were sidelined for the Saints game but Bowles also used the term "full go" for each of them on Friday. Bowles said Davis would clear the NFL's concussion protocol on Friday, a necessary step before he is allowed to return to game action. The status of wide receiver Trey Palmer (hip) and tackle Tristan Wirfs (shoulder) was not discussed, but when asked if the Bucs are now at full strength Bowles responded, "[You] got it."
UPDATE: Despite that positive outlook, Mayfield, Davis, Palmer and Kieft were all still listed as questionable on the Bucs' Friday injury report.
CLICK HERE for a preview of Sunday's Bucs-Panther game.
January 3 Updates
As they have done throughout December and January, the Buccaneers conducted a walk-through on Wednesday rather than a full-speed practice. If they had gone full speed, their quarterback wouldn't have been part of it.
Head Coach Todd Bowles said that Baker Mayfield, who suffered a rib injury near the end of the Bucs' Week 17 game against the Saints, would not have practiced on Wednesday. Neither Bowles nor Mayfield are certain yet whether he will practice on Thursday.
"I didn't exactly test it out today, just more mental reps for everybody," said Mayfield. "I haven't tested it out. I've just got to get loose, and I'm sure closer to game time adrenaline will be rolling, especially with where we're sitting at right now situationally.
"[I'm] Pretty sore, but good. It's just one of those things [where] it's tender. I've dealt with rib injuries before – rest and just as the week goes on it always helps."
Mayfield said he has had no setbacks since Sunday and further X-ray examinations have confirmed that he has no cracks or fractures to his ribs. He referred to his current condition as "normal soreness" and mentioned several motivating factors to get him ready to play by Sunday.
"I'll do everything I can to be out there, that's for sure," said Mayfield, who began last season as the Panthers' starting quarterback but was eventually waived in December. "Division on the line, playoff hopes on the line, going back to Carolina? Yeah, I'll do everything I can."
Bowles reiterated that Mayfield will do whatever is necessary to try to be ready for the game in Charlotte, in which the Bucs will try to secure a third consecutive NFC South title with a win.
"I know he's going to do everything he can to play," said Bowles. "I'm not a doctor, I can't feel what Baker's feeling, so I can't tell you how he's going to feel if he's able to play, but if he can play I know he's going to try to play."
January 1 Updates
The Buccaneers have a win-and-in game on Sunday in Carolina, and it looks like their starting quarterback is going to play. Baker Mayfield suffered a ribs injury near the end of the Bucs' 23-13 loss to the Saints in Week 17, but Head Coach Todd Bowles sounded a positive note on Monday.
"His ribs are sore," said Bowles. "He'll be fine by Sunday."
Mayfield sustained the injury on a hit by Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu after he threw what was initially ruled as a successful two-point conversion pass to Chris Godwin. Mathieu was flagged for roughing the passer on the play. On a replay review, Godwin was deemed to have landed out of bounds, but the Bucs got another shot at the two-point play due to Mathieu's penalty. Mayfield came back into the game for that second play but his pass was snared by cornerback Paulson Adebo in the end zone.
Mayfield had his abdomen X-rayed immediately after the game and reported at his postgame press conference that the exam was negative for any fractures. Mayfield threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in the loss and now has a career-high 28 on the season. He is tied for fourth in the NFL in that category.
CLICK HERE to watch Coach Bowles' Monday press conference.
