Here is what you need to know about what happened at Buccaneers training camp on Sunday, July 29:
BUCS INJURIES
• Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano has not released an official injury list and won’t be doing so until he’s forced to by the league in the preseason. Some players that missed practice on Sunday include left tackle Donald Penn (left calf), wide receiver Arrelious Benn (knee), cornerbacks Derrick Roberson (hamstring) and E.J. Biggers (foot), defensive end Da’Quan Bowers (Achilles), tight end Colin Franklin (undisclosed) and defensive tackle Gary Gibson (undisclosed). Offensive tackle Jamon Meredith returned to practice after missing some time on Saturday with an undisclosed injury.
• Despite it being the first full day in pads with full contact, there were no noteworthy injuries to report according to Schiano in his post-practice press conference.
TAMPA BAY’S ROSTER MOVES
• The Buccaneers signed LB Nate Triplett. Triplett comes to Tampa Bay from the Indianapolis Colts and he also spent time on the San Diego Chargers practice squad last season. He has played in eight career games mainly on special teams, notching six tackles. Triplett has also played in one playoff game. He originally entered the league with the Minnesota Vikings as a fifth-round draft pick (167th overall) in 2010 out of the University of Minnesota.
• There were no other roster moves by the Bucs on Sunday.
BUCS DEPTH CHART NEWS
• Doug Martin was taking most of the first-team reps at running back on Sunday. Martin has been one of the stars of camp and has done virtually everything right from running with decisiveness, quickness and authority to catching the ball cleanly to being as good as advertised in pass protection.
Interestingly, Martin was leading the running back unit in drills on Sunday while LeGarrette Blount was the last one in line – perhaps as a disciplinary measure. Blount split time in a back up role and received fewer reps than Martin, and just slightly more than Mossis Madu and Michael Smith.
• Tiquan Underwood has had a strong start to training camp and continues to get reps with the first-team offense. Underwood has made very few mistakes and consistently gets separation. He has had an impressive first three days of camp.
• Former starting free safety Cody Grimm continues to exclusively run with the third-team defense at strong safety behind Mark Barron and Ahmad Black. His chances of making the 53-man roster this year appear to be bleak unless he really impresses in the preseason with some splash plays on special teams and defense.
THE BIG NEWS AT ONE BUC PLACE
• For the first time under head coach Greg Schiano, the Buccaneers donned full pads during Sunday morning’s practice. The running game was emphasized quite a bit during this practice, which was the first real look at the full blocking ability of the offensive line, fullbacks and tight ends.
• For the second straight day, new Bucs tight end Dallas Clark struggled catching the ball. On Saturday, Clark had a pass bounce off his hands and into the waiting arms of free safety Ronde Barber. On Sunday, the same thing happened across the middle with a pass going off Clark’s fingertips and into the clutches of backup middle linebacker Adam Hayward.
•Doug Martin continues his apparent march up the depth chart, taking most of the first team reps on both running and passing plays. LeGarrette Blount was used sparingly and there was no indication of any injury that may have prevented him from participating. No one is revealing a early camp depth chart, but it is becoming clear the Buccaneers are liking what Martin brings.
STANDOUT PLAYS IN TAMPA BAY
• Middle linebacker Mason Foster has had a very good start to training camp and has excelled in pass protection for the second straight day. After breaking up two passes in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions on Saturday, Foster broke up a pass intended for Clark to start a 7-on-7 session. He also put a huge, de-cleating hit on wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, knocking him to the ground. To Stroughter’s credit he held on to the ball. Foster looked great in run fits, reading a cutback run and stopping Madu in the hole on one occasion.
• Defensive end Adrian Clayborn continues to display his physicality. After roughing up left tackle Demar Dotson on Saturday, he went out in the flat to drop fullback Erik Lorig with a big thud as soon as he caught the ball. That play drew applause from the fans and defensive players, but prompted Schiano to stop practice, draw the team together and explain how he doesn’t want friendly fire injuring his team.
• During one of the passing periods Josh Freeman was able to recognize a blitz by the defense, allude Rode Barber who juked Doug Martin, and connect with Vincent Jackson down the right sideline for a long completion. Jackson was able to get past cornerback Aqib Talib, something the veteran receiver has routinely been able to do when matched up in man-coverage.
For more standout plays and more on the first day of Buccaneers training camp, read Pewter Report’s premium Pewter Insider practice reports coming later tonight on PewterReport.com.
-Mark Cook contributed to this report
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