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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
Latest Bucs Headlines
Following the Bucs’ 26-20 victory over the Ravens to conclude the preseason with a 2-1 record, Tampa Bay began making its roster cuts on Sunday. All NFL teams have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 29 to trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 to start the 2023 regular season.
In years past when there were four preseason games there would be multiple cutdowns throughout August. Now there is just one cutdown date when all teams must shed 37 players to get down to the mandated 53-man roster. After the 53-man roster is set on Tuesday, the Bucs and other teams can begin assembling their 16-player practice squads the following day.
After years of being one of the older teams in the league, largely due to 45-year-old Tom Brady, the Bucs are expected to keep an unprecedented number of rookies this season. In addition to eight draft picks, most of whom should make the team, the Bucs also signed 19 undrafted free agents.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Adam Slivon/Pewter Report
Heading into final roster cuts as many as seven undrafted free agents could make the team – the most Todd Bowles has ever seen as a coach.
“Yes it will be,” Bowles said. “It will be by far. You know the draft picks have a good chance of sticking, but there’s quite a few free agents that will make this team.”
One undrafted free agent is already guaranteed a roster spot on the Bucs. Bowles named Christian Izien, an undrafted free agent safety out of Rutgers, as the team’s starting nickelback. Izien played well in training camp and the preseason and forced a key fumble in the red zone against the Ravens.
Bucs Roster Cuts
Here are the Bucs roster cuts that are publicly known. This list will be constantly updated as cuts are made through Tuesday.
CB Keenan Isaac – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving cornerback Keenan Isaac, an undrafted rookie from Alabama State. Should be back on practice squad, and it means the initial 53 is set for Bucs — 13 rookies, including six undrafted rookies.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 29, 2023
OLB Charles Snowden – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived outside linebacker Charles Snowden, who had the clinching sack late in Saturday's win against Pittsburgh. Spent time on Tampa Bay's practice squad last year, could be back as well. One more move and Bucs are at 53.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 29, 2023
LS Evan Deckers – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived long-snapper Evan Deckers, which means Zach Triner is back for a fifth year handling snaps. Moving on from Deckers, an undrafted rookie from Duke, leaves the Bucs two moves from getting to 53.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 29, 2023
S Kedrick Whitehead – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving safety Kedric Whitehead with an injury settlement. Undrafted rookie from Delaware had turned heads in camp. Tampa Bay is now three moves from getting to 53 players.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 29, 2023
ILB J.J. Russell – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
#Bucs have waived LB J.J. Russell. Russell had a really strong preseason for the Bucs including 11 tackles on Saturday. He’ll be back on the PS if he clears waivers.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
OL Luke Haggard, Silas Dzansi, Chris Murray, and Raiqwon O’Neal – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen and Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Update: O’Neal is being waived. These things are fluid as they try to make the best decisions for the initial 53. https://t.co/yZ5bwzGTwa
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
Just to clarify: guard Aaron Stinnie is making the Bucs’ 53, but rookie tackle Raiqwon O’Neal is being waived.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
TE Dominque Dafney – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
#Bucs are waiving TE Dominque Dafney
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
WR David Moore – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
In a surprise move the #Bucs are releasing veteran WR David Moore. Strong candidate to return to the practice squad.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
WR Cephus Johnson – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
#Bucs are waiving UDFA rookie WR Cephus Johnson.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
WR Ryan Miller – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
#Bucs are waiving UDFA Rookie WR Ryan Miller.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
TE Tanner Taula – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving tight end Tanner Taula, an undrafted rookie from Illinois State. Could make it back on practice squad — that's a young tight end room.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
QB John Wolford – reported by Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud
Bucs are releasing QB John Wolford.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 28, 2023
S Richard LeCounte III – reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler
#Bucs are releasing safety Richard LeCounte III, per source. Former fifth-round pick had signed with Tampa last week.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 28, 2023
DL Pat O’Connor – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are releasing defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, a special-teams mainstay who's been with the team since 2017. They'd like to bring him back on practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
OLB Jose Ramirez – reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson
#Buccaneers released Jose Ramirez, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 28, 2023
DL C.J Brewer – reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson
#Buccaneers release C.J. Brewer, per a league source. Likely he returns to practice squad @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 28, 2023
RB Patrick Laird – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived running back Patrick Laird, who spent last season on the team’s practice squad. Could be back there again.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
ILB Brandon Bouyer-Randle – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut. He'll have a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Also played at Michigan State and Texas Tech in college.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
DL Willington Previlon – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving defensive lineman Willington Previlon, who has spent much of the last two seasons on their practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
CB Anthony Chesley – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are releasing defensive back Anthony Chesley, who played in seven games last year and logged 110 snaps on special teams. Tampa Bay's secondary will be very young in 2023.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
S Nolan Turner, T Michael Niese, and DT Deadrin Senat – reported by Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud
#Bucs have released S Nolan Turner, T Michael Niese, DT Deadrin Senat, OL John Molchon.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 28, 2023
RB Ronnie Brown – reported by Pewter Report’s JC Allen
The #Bucs have waived Running back Ronnie Brown.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 28, 2023
C John Molchon – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived offensive lineman John Molchon. His versatility makes him a smart match for practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
WR Taye Barber – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have made another move at receiver, waiving undrafted rookie Taye Barber, who had shown promise in camp. Third receiver already cut, with Kade Warner and Kaylon Geiger. Could be back on practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
WR Kaylon Geiger – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving receiver Kaylon Geiger, who spent time on their roster and practice squad last year. Tough competition among young WRs for their last roster spots.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 28, 2023
S Avery Young – reported by Pewter Report
#Bucs roster cuts continuing in advance of tomorrow's cutdown deadline. Pewter Report is reporting that S Avery Young has been released.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 28, 2023
CB Rodarius Williams – reported by Pewter Report
Another #Bucs roster cut ahead of tomorrow's cutdown deadline.
Pewter Report is reporting that CB Rodarius Williams has been released.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 28, 2023
WR Kade Warner – reported by Pewter Report
Pewter Report is reporting that the #Bucs are cutting WR Kade Warner, the son of Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner.
The undrafted free agent out of Kansas State had 1 rec. for 19 yards in preseason. Bucs WR room has lots of young talent, including rookies Trey Palmer & Rakim Jarrett.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 27, 2023
ILB Ulysees Gilbert III – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have started the process of cutting down their roster, waiving linebacker Ulysees Gilbert, who played a bit last season. Candidate for practice squad if he isn’t claimed.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 27, 2023
CB Don Gardner – waived injured – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs are waiving cornerback Don Gardner with an injury settlement. Hamstring cost him much of preseason, but could end up back on practice squad, where he spent last season.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 27, 2023
OLB Hamilcar Rashed – reported by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman
Bucs have waived outside linebacker Hamilcar Rashed, who was caught up in perhaps the team's best positional depth. Could end up back on practice squad, where he was at end of last season for Tampa Bay.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 27, 2023
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