Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zyon McCollum

CB

The cornerback had missed the previous week of practice sessions and was not expected to suit up for Week 2 of the preseason. While there's still a chance McCollum sits against Kansas City, he at least appears to be healthy again. McCollum started all 13 regular-season games he played during the 2025 campaign and is projected to start again in 2026.

Vita Vea

DT

Vea, who is now under contract with the team through the 2027 season, made a trade request at the start of training camp, likely eyeing his AAV at the time ($17.75 million, or 19th most among interior defensive linemen). Per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, Tampa Bay had no plans to trade Vea, though teams had checked in on the situation multiple times over the last few weeks, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. With Vea's new deal in place, the new money value of $30 million would rank fifth in AAV at his position in the NFL.

Cade Otton

TE

questionable

Tez Johnson

WR

questionable

Jalen McMillan

WR

questionable

Kadarius Calloway

RB

ir

Emeka Egbuka

WR

questionable

JJ Roberts

S

Tristan Wirfs

OT

Billy Schrauth

G

Schrauth sprained his knee in early August. The guard remains sidelined with a brace, and it is unclear when he will return to the field. The rookie fifth-rounder will not have much time to make his case for the 53-man roster once he regains his health, so he is a strong candidate for season-ending injured reserve.

Kenny Gainwell

RB

Dramatic language and all, Gainwell apparently has a very important fan on his new team. While Bucky Irving remains the presumed lead runner, Gainwell should get a lot of the work on passing downs while also maintaining a small role in "pony" packages with two halfbacks on the field. New playcaller Zac Robinson used those double-RB looks on a league-high 95 plays (9.1 percent of total snaps) with the division-rival Falcons last year.

Jake Browning

QB

The quarterback strained his back Wednesday during a joint practice with the Jets and then had to sit out of the preseason opener. Now that he has returned, Browning should slide back into his spot as Baker Mayfield's primary backup. The fourth-year pro is in his first year with the Bucs after spending his first three seasons with Cincinnati.

Bucky Irving

RB

Both Irving and fellow RB Kenny Gainwell were held out of Friday's preseason game at the Jets, but the pair are slated to get some run in Tampa Bay's second exhibition. After reeling off 1,514 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns in 17 regular-season games as a fourth-round rookie in 2024, Irving fell back to 865 total yards and four TDs in 10 appearances last regular season, mostly due to a cascade of health concerns. With Rachaad White moving on to Washington this offseason, Irving has a new running mate in Gainwell, and the breakdown of reps between the two remains to be seen.

Baker Mayfield

QB

Mayfield sat out the Buccaneers' preseason opener versus the Jets last week, but he was able to get in plenty of competitive reps during a pair of joint practices between the two teams leading up to the exhibition. He looks set to make his preseason debut this weekend, though Bowles didn't disclose how long he expects Mayfield to remain in the contest. Mayfield could be working with a depleted receiver group Saturday, as Bowles labeled Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) as day-to-day after both wideouts remained sidelined for Monday's practice.

Chris Godwin Jr.

WR

The Buccaneers held out most of their starters for the team's initial preseason contest, so Godwin's absence isn't a concern. The veteran wideout is expected to maintain a key role in a Tampa Bay WR corps that enters 2026 without Mike Evans for the first time since 2013. Godwin is joined at the top of the team's pass-catching pecking order by Emeka Egbuka (toe), with Jalen McMillan (knee) and tight end Cade Otton also slated to see plenty of opportunities.

Ted Hurst III

WR

With Emeka Egbuka (toe), Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan (knee) all sitting out, Hurst worked as the Buccaneers' de facto No. 1 receiver on the night. The rookie third-round pick recorded his first catch for a seven-yard gain on the Buccaneers' second drive, and he added a 12-yard grab on Tampa Bay's third possession. Hurst was also targeted by Connor Bazelak on a goal-line slant on the final ball thrown his way, but the pass was a bit behind him and broken up. Hurst enters his rookie season with elevated expectations after an impressive two-year tenure at the D1 level, and both Godwin and McMillan's recent injury history suggests Hurst could see plenty of opportunity in his first NFL season.

Sean Tucker

RB

Neither Bucky Irving nor Kenny Gainwell were active Friday, leaving Tucker as the starting running back. The fourth-year pro gained four yards on his first carry during Tampa Bay's three-and-out opening possession, and he ended up playing on the Buccaneers' first three drives. Tucker recorded a career-high 320 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2025, and he projects to remain in a No. 3 running back role and potentially serve as a primary kickoff returner once again in 2026.

Roman Parodie

CB

Parodie was waived from the Bucs' injured-reserve list in September 2025, but he remained a free agent for the remainder of the season. The cornerback is now back with the Buccaneers and ready to compete for a depth spot on the 53-man roster. Considering his prior history with the team, Parodie likely has a good chance of landing on the practice squad if he doesn't make the 53-man roster.

David Walker

LB

Walker tore his ACL during the third practice of 2025 training camp, ending his rookie season before he had a chance to suit up for a single game. The 2025 fourth-rounder is now back and looking to make a case for a spot on a revamped linebackers corps ahead of the 2026 season.

Benjamin Morrison

CB

Morrison missed the first three practices of training camp while tending to a lingering hamstring injury from the 2025 season, but he was back in action Sunday with no restrictions. Leg injuries limited the 2025 second-rounder to 10 regular-season games during his rookie year, finishing with 26 tackles (19 solo), four pass defenses and one fumble recovery. Morrison is projected to start opposite Zyon McCollum at outside cornerback, with Josh Hayes and Damarion Williams providing depth at the position.

Ko Kieft

TE

Kieft injured his leg in Week 3 of the 2025 season and was unable to finish out the last year of his contract with the Buccaneers. He signed another one-year deal with the team in March and is ready to pick up where he left off as a blocking tight end and special-teams asset.

Ifeatu Melifonwu

S

Melifonwu had a career-high in tackles (53) over 16 regular-season games as a Dolphin in 2025. The safety will now stand ready behind Tykee Smith at strong safety. The 25-year-old could see some action in Cover 3, but will likely be the team's primary depth option in 2026.

Chase McLaughlin

PK

McLaughlin suited up for all 17 regular-season games for Tampa Bay last season and set a new career high in made field goals (32), though he also logged a career-low conversion rate on attempts (84.2 percent). After going 11-for-12 on FG tries from 50-plus yards last season, McLaughlin is a solid candidate to bounce back in terms of accuracy in 2026. If he does, he'll be primed to hit the open market in 2027 as one of the league's top available kickers.

Anthony Nelson

LB

The linebacker missed the last two regular-season games of 2025 with a knee injury, but he appears to be past the issue. Nelson recorded 38 tackles (21 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two pass breakups, including an interception, and two forced fumbles last year.

B.T. Potter

PK

Potter initially signed with the Steelers after going undrafted in 2023, but he was later dropped and has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Across his final two seasons at Clemson, the 26-year-old converted all 97 of his point-after tries and 41 of 52 field-goal attempts.