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The Bucs returned to the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center Wednesday morning to open up training camp, signaling the unofficial official start of the 2026 season.

The Bucs lucked out from a weather standpoint as they began camp. About an hour into practice, cloud cover increased and what was initially a light rain turned into a drizzle. For as brief as that rain was, it brought on cloudy skies and a breeze, making for what 10th-year wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. described as the best weather day they’ve had for training camp during his time with Tampa Bay.

Now, with the day’s impromptu weather report out of the way, here are the big observations and takeaways from Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Adam Slivon, Bailey Adams and Kat Beutel, who were all on the scene at One Buc Place Wednesday morning.

Bucs Begin Training Camp Without Two Big Stars, Handful Of Others

With so much focus on Vita Vea in the early stages of Wednesday’s practice, there was another big man whose absence flew under the radar for the first few periods. Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs wasn’t out there, either. That was an especially significant surprise given that Wirfs, one of the franchise’s cornerstone players, was seen reporting for camp in a social media post from the Buccaneers’ official account Tuesday.

Shortly after the 11-on-11 period began, Pewter Report got some insight on Wirfs’ status, with a source saying his absence was “nothing serious.”

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation after practice, revealing the news that Wirfs tweaked his hamstring during a running test upon the team’s arrival to training camp on Tuesday. Bowles didn’t have much clarity on how long of an absence it might be for his starting left tackle, but even if it’s truly nothing serious, you’d expect the Bucs to be cautious with his return.

Wirfs’ hamstring injury wasn’t the only issue that popped up during those running tests, either. Vea, who wasn’t necessarily expected to practice at the start of camp anyway given that he was a “hold-in” during mini-camp and has requested a trade, is also dealing with a tweak in his back. So, make that two of Tampa Bay’s biggest stars — literally and figuratively — dealing with minor issues to begin camp.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The team was also without a handful of others during Wednesday’s practice. In addition to cornerback Chase Lucas and defensive tackle Haggai Ndubuisi, who were both placed on the Active/Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) List Tuesday evening, defensive back J.J. Roberts was also a non-participant as he continues to work his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in the preseason last year. New safety Miles Killebrew, who missed the offseason recovering from a knee injury last fall, participated in practice for the first time as a Buccaneer.

Cornerback Benjamin Morrison was also limited in practice as he works on recovering from a hamstring pull from June’s OTAs. He was working with a trainer off to the side at the beginning of practice before eventually joining the team, jersey on and helmet in hand.

Tampa Bay Starts Camp With A Heavy Focus On Special Teams Details

As is required throughout the NFL, the Bucs began training camp in shorts, jerseys and helmets Wednesday morning. It didn’t feel like a coincidence, then, when the team focused heavily on special teams with two prolonged periods of practice focusing on the little details that new special teams coordinator Danny Smith obsesses over.

The difference between how the Bucs approach special teams work under Smith and how it looked in the past is night and day. It’s not just the standard, going-through-the-motions punt and kick coverage drills. It’s the little things within those facets of the game. It even goes beyond that, too, as Tampa Bay practiced fake punts, blocking kicks and scooping them up (with an assist from Mother Nature given that this came during the rain) and even punter Riley Dixon practicing taking a safety.

Bucs ST coordinator Danny Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Danny brings a great presence. And once you get past the presence, which will take you a while, he’s an extremely bright and smart coach,” Todd Bowles said of his new special teams coordinator after practice. “He’s very detailed. He loves the game. I think Danny is the new Coach [Tom] Moore because he’s older than all of us, but he’s younger than all of us.

“He’s a hell of a teacher. He’s great to talk to about almost [anything] and everything. He gives you sound advice. He’s eager to get going all day long, and you just love that about him. And he holds all them guys accountable, so I think that’ll be a big change for us this year on special teams.”

The special teams units were anything but special for the Bucs under Keith Armstrong and Thomas McGaughey. It’s a good sign that things look so different under Danny Smith.

Other Observations And Takeaways From Day 1 Of Bucs Camp

Here are some quick-hitting observations and takeaways from Wednesday at One Buc Place:

As expected, quarterback Baker Mayfield was in attendance and a full go despite not getting the contract extension he was looking for prior to camp.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• Inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom was back at practice after being an excused absence during mini-camp for the birth of his child.

• Outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. and wide receiver Ted Hurst were both standouts in the first training camp practices of their respective careers.

• Outside linebacker Yaya Diaby took advantage of Vita Vea’s absence, getting the better of replacement tacklJustin Skule on more than one occasion.

• Backup QB Jake Browning has developed a quick rapport with Ted Hurst, as well as Tez Johnson. Browning and Hurst connected for a touchdown during the red zone period, then linked up later in 11-on-11s for a gain of about 25 yards.

• With Vita Vea out, A’Shawn Robinson replaced him as the starting nose tackle.

• SirVocea Dennis was the starter at inside linebacker next to Alex Anzalone to begin camp, while Jacob Parrish got the start opposite Zyon McCollum.

The Bucs will get back at it for Day 2 of training camp Thursday morning.

The Pewter Report Podcast Recaps Each Bucs Training Camp Practice

For more coverage on Bucs training camp practices, watch the Pewter Report Podcast – presented by Prize Picks – on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel. Each Pewter Report Podcast goes live at 4:00 pm ET on the days the Buccaneers practice. Visit PewterReportTV for more our exclusive Camp Diaries with QB Jalon Daniels and OLB David Walker and other Bucs video analysis.