The Bucs announced on Monday afternoon that they have waived punter Trenton Gill following their Week 13 win over the Panthers by a score of 26-23 in overtime. Gill struggled heavily in the game which led to the decision. No corresponding move has been made yet as the Bucs have an extra spot open on the roster.

Bucs Punter Trenton Gill – Photo by: USA Today

It went from bad to worse for Gill through the afternoon and evening. While his first three punts in the game averaged over 52 yards, he had a clunker of a punt from Tampa Bay’s own 14 that went 22 yards, setting up the Panthers at the Bucs’ 36 yard line. This eventually led to a Bryce Young rushing touchdown and Gill did not have a punt go further than 54 yards in the game averaging for 45.6 yards per attempt.

When it came down to a crucial moment in the game, Gill squandered another situation. With the Bucs extending their lead to 20-16 and 3:05, Gill’s ensuing kickoff landed short of the designated kickoff area, resulting in a penalty that gave Carolina the ball at the 40. This gave less of a field that the Panthers had to drive, eventually scoring the go-ahead touchdown before with 30 seconds to go before the Bucs tied it up.

“They were very concerning, almost cost us the game basically,” head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday about the poo kicks. “The field position cost us. We got them out and we got them off the field but it’s very concerning and we’re definitely going to take a look at it.”

Where Do The Bucs Go With Their Punting Situation?

Punter Trenton Gill – Photo by: USA Today

This is the second time that Tampa Bay has waived a punter this season after previously releasing former fourth round pick Jake Camarda. It was Gill that came in to replace Camarda, playing in eight games this season. He made Tampa Bay debut in Week 4 against the Eagles and was again elevated from the practice squad for Week 6.

The Bucs game Camarda another chance in Week 6 against the Saints, but ultimately they let him go and signed Gill to the active roster and played him up until this last game.

The Bucs currently have rookie punter Jack Browning on their practice squad that they could sign to the 53-man active roster, or use him for a couple of practice squad elevations until they make a decision on whether or not to go and sign him.

Bucs OLB Markees Watts – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Browning played three years at San Diego State where he spent the last two seasons punting while also kicking field goals and extra points. Presumably, if the Bucs went the route of signing Browning he could also hand off kicking duties.

Tampa Bay might hold off on making another roster move just yet because the practice window is still open for outside linebacker Markees Watts, and they could use the roster spot on him. Since outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka missed last game, the Bucs are a little thin at the position.

The Bucs relied heavily on Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson, who made the play of the game with a forced fumble. They seldomly played Chris Braswell and we hardly saw Jose Ramirez, so Watts might immediately get playing time when available. They’ll still need a punter one way or another, but may waive a player at another position to best fill out the roster.