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The second day of joint practice between the Bucs and Jaguars was not as intense, as the teams were not in pads and dialed back how much they competed against one another. Even with that, there were some moments early on observing Tampa Bay’s defense were several players stood out in 7-on-7s. Who caught our eye the most?
Defensive Studs From Bucs-Jaguars Joint Practice
ILB Josiah Trotter
Josiah Trotter has had a solid camp as he ingratiates himself as a thumping Bucs inside linebacker. Trotter kicked off the morning with a big play for Tampa Bay’s defense. With Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence having nowhere to throw the football in 7-on-7s, he tested the rookie linebacker by throwing his way in the end zone. Trotter timed Lawrence’s pass through the air to come down with an impressive interception. It was an instance where his hands carried over from warmups to the scrimmage.
Josiah Trotter has got the hands! #Bucs pic.twitter.com/NxEAVnvR81
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 26, 2026
Head coach Todd Bowles joked after practice that it was nice to see that Trotter “finally caught one,” but he also praised the team’s second-round pick for playing well enough to start as a three-down linebacker. With SirVocea Dennis watching from the sideline this week, No. 45 has made the most of pairing next to Alex Anzalone. Throughout camp, he has quieted the doubts about his abilities.
“I know coming in, there was outside noise,” Trotter said. “People saying I could or could not, but I know what I can do. I know what God put inside of me. I just wanted to come out here and show that I can not only cover, but I can also blitz, pass rush, and be everything that the Bucs need me to be for this organization and try to win football games ultimately. If I need to be on the field — if there were five downs, I wish I could be on the field for five downs.”
CB Ayden Garnes
Another day, another play by cornerback Ayden Garnes.
Bucs CB Ayden Garnes – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Garnes is a shoo-in to make the 53-man roster for how sticky he has been in coverage during camp and in the preseason. The undrafted free agent had another positive moment just a play after Josiah Trotter’s interception. Trevor Lawrence was looking across the middle, but Garnes jumped the route and made an interception that easily would have been taken back for a pick-six.
When it comes to defensive backs, it is not a stretch to say he has been the best playmaker in Tampa Bay’s secondary. Between breaking up passes and recording several picks, his arrow continues to trend upward.
CB Benjamin Morrison
Benjamin Morrison has made the duds section of this column several times this summer, but there is a positive moment to talk about for the 2025 second-round pick. Limited throughout camp with a hamstring injury, Morrison has participated in practice and made a big play in the end zone. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens was throwing to wide receiver Brady Boyd, but “B-Mo” jumped in to break the pass up to force an incompletion.
Todd Bowles is among those who want to see this happen consistently, but it remains to be seen if he will get into the preseason finale on Friday night.
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles would like to see CB Benjamin Morrison play in the final preseason game, but it is a decision that will be made tonight. pic.twitter.com/9kcbzWjC1x
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 26, 2026
Defensive Duds From Bucs-Jaguars Joint Practice
CB Zyon McCollum
With the Bucs’ defense showing up with more energy to begin practice, there were not many negative moments to write about here.
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
The 7-on-7 period was the only time where the teams went up against each other on Wednesday morning, but Zyon McCollum did let one slip. Trevor Lawrence rolled out to his right and threw a deep ball for wide receiver Josh Cameron. McCollum was a step behind Cameron as he hauled it in. There was a flag that flew after the play, which was likely a defensive pass interference against the fifth-year cornerback.
While he came out of the gates with a few interceptions early on in camp, McCollum has looked more vulnerable in coverage as of late.
Watch Pewter Report’s LIVE Coverage From Jacksonville!
The Pewter Report staff will be going LIVE this afternoon at 4 PM ET to breakdown our biggest observations and takeaways from Wednesday’s Bucs joint practice against the Jaguars. Be sure to check it out and subscribe to our PewterReportTV YouTube channel:
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
