Photo via Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had one touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 23, 2024.
Rookie wideout Jalen McMillan, vying for that third wide receiver spot, also had an impressive catch down the field on the opening drive that set up Mr. White’s TD.
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Newly-minted starting offensive linemen Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, and Cody Mauch also looked impressive, creating holes for White on the opening drive and giving Mayfield time to operate. The coaching staff decided that one drive was all it needed to see from the starters, as backup quarterback Kyle Trask and the rest of the second-and-third stringers got to show off their skills for the remainder of the Bucs’ matchup with the Miami Dolphins, which resulted in a 24-14 win for the hometeam.
Journeyman quarterback John Wolford was sidelined with an injury and didn’t get to make any further progress in the Baker backup battle between him and Trask, who had 141 yards passing and a couple of TDs, looking moderately impressive at points throughout the night.
Rookie Bucky Irving continued his journey to being named backup running back over Chase Edmonds, despite Edmonds, a six-year-pro, remaining in that spot on the official depth chart. Irving managed to run for 26 yards on six carries, another very serviceable yards-per-carry rate..@ktrask9 with a DIME 🎯
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 24, 2024
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Former Seahawk receiver Cody Thompson submitted a solid performance as well, leading the team in yards (45) and catches (seven).
The Bucs now have a lot to think about as they debate who to keep on their 53-man roster and who to cut or send to the practice squad.
On the defensive side, second-round pick Chris Braswell managed a sack of former USF Bull and current Dolphins backup Mike White in the first quarter.
Bucs vet Vita Vea also looked impressive, too, blowing up plays in the backfield at his new weight, following reports of an offseason that saw him shed quite a few pounds.
Undrafted rookie safety Marcus Banks made a few nice plays, including laying a big hit on a Dolphins receiver in the first quarter to break up a pass (even though it didn’t ultimately matter due to a Bucs penalty) and making five tackles.
Another former USF Bull, linebacker Antonio Grier, Jr. made a nice pick in the waning minutes of the game to seal the ever-important preseason victory for the Bucs to hopefully compete for a possible practice squad spot for either the Bucs or another team around the league.
Rosters need to be finalized on Aug. 27, and there are plenty of situations to monitor for the Bucs throughout the NFL as they continue to finalize their own lineups.
Does Tampa Bay pick up a veteran corner to round out the secondary? Could the team look to outside help for any other roster uncertainties like the final wide receiver spot, a veteran edge rusher, or backup QB?
Regardless of what happens with the rest of the league, the Bucs are in a nice spot with their current roster and it’d be unsurprising to see them sit tight with who they have and make minor, unremarkable moves to round out the team.
Following the roster deadline, the Bucs then wait for the regular season to begin, as they kick things off at home next month against the Washington Commanders.
Tickets to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Sept. 8 are still available and start at $77. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.
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