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The Bucs resumed practice on Monday following a couple days off after their preseason game on the road against the Jets on Friday night. Since the Bucs also had joint practices with the Jets, it was the first time that the team held practice in Tampa Bay in over week.

It was a hot Monday morning as the temperature was in the 90s and there was very few clouds in the sky. With the starters not playing at all in the preseason opener and expecting to play on Saturday against the Chiefs, they got in a lot of work as they attempted to knock some rust off after plenty of days off.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera, Kat Buetel and Scott Reynolds were in attendance at practice. Here were the most notable moments from the day.

Tristan Wirfs Returns For Bucs…Sort Of

There was a nice surprise at the beginning of practice as Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was in full pads with a helmet warming up with the team. Wirfs had not practiced at all in training camp after he tweaked his hamstring in conditioning drills a day before camp began. It looked like Wirfs was starting to get closer to at return during joint practice with the Jets as he traveled with the team to New Jersey and was running and stretching on his own.

Wirfs going with all of his teammates today is a sign that he’s on track for the start of the regular season.

While he worked in individual drills with his fellow offensive linemen, he did not participate in any team drills. When the Bucs were in special teams or team drills, Wirfs would workout and hit a sled on his own. The team is taking its time with him as they should.

“We’re trying to ramp him up a little bit,” head coach Todd Bowles said after practice. “See how much he can go this week.”

The next test will be getting him into 11-on-11s.

Tampa Bay was missing several players on Monday, including offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma, guard Billy Schrauth, cornerback Zyon McCollum, linebacker Christian Rozeboom, wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, David Sills V and Tez Johnson and defensive tackle Elijah Simmons.

Benjamin Morrison Gets More Snaps

A player that did finally get to participate in full team drills that is also slowly coming back from injury is cornerback Benjamin Morrison. After participating in team drills during the Wednesday joint practice in New Jersey, Morrison finally got in on 11-on-11s in Tampa.

The Bucs are still taking it one step at a time, though, as he first started out in a goal line session. The reason being here is that there isn’t as much field to cover, keeping him ready to go. Later on, he did play in more traditional football settings as the Bucs defense had to cover more of the field, but more in a limited basis.

Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Morrison allowed a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst III while at the goal line. He was close to him in the front right pylon of the end zone, but Hurst was able to use his size and box him out to extend his arms and make the catch. Before Bucs fans freak out about it, he did look good forcing an incompletion on receiver Dean Patterson IV with tight coverage. The real challenge comes is if Morrison can put a couple of practices together.

Todd Bowles wouldn’t commit to him in playing in Saturday night’s preseason game.

“He’s doing better,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how the week looks.”

Yaya Diaby Picks It Up For Bucs’ Pass Rush

The pass rush has vastly improved for Tampa Bay this training camp. Rueben Bain Jr. looks like the player he was advertised to be, while David Walker has been sensational. A player we haven’t talked about as much, though, is starting outside linebacker and OLB1, Yaya Diaby.

That all changed when the Bucs went to two-minute drills to close out practice. It also happened to be the best camp that Diaby has had thus far. Diaby recorded back-to-back sacks on quarterback Baker Mayfield and the first-team offense. On the first sack, he stunted into the middle of the line and got directly in Mayfield’s face. It looked like a sack, but Mayfield also tried tossing the ball to running back Kenneth Gainwell, who was standing right next to him, for what would’ve been a tackle for loss anyway.

The second sack was even better because it was fourth down play. Diaby used his combination of speed and power to work around left tackle Justin Skule and get to Mayfield. Just about the same time, Rueben Bain Jr. came from the opposite end and they bumped into each other, celebrating the occasion. Diaby gave out a loud yell after consecutive big plays.

There was no reason to hit the panic button yet for Diaby, but having this type of practice today was important progress.

Other Observations And Takeaways From Day 12 Of Bucs Camp

• Jacob Parrish may have had the best practice out of anybody on Monday. He recorded at least two pass breakups, both while covering Ted Hurst III. His tight coverage on tight end Bauer Sharp also forced another incompletion.
• The only quarterbacks to take snaps in 11-on-11 was Baker Mayfield and Jalon Daniels. The other two quarterbacks, Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak did throw in individual drills, but not in team.
• ILB John Bullock had an interception off of Daniels. His pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and Bullock just caught it before it hit the ground.
• Outside of his touchdown, Ted Hurst had a quiet day.
• Chris Godwin Jr. scored a touchdown during goal line on a crossing route while Keionte Scott was covering him. It just shows that savvy route running and football IQ can still beat speed.
• OLB Yasir Holmes forced a fumble on Patterson. It was recovered by Josiah Trotter.
• Al-Quadin Muhammad and David Walker had sacks today.
• With Cade Otton out, Bauer Sharp had a good practice and started in his place. He made two productive receptions, including a diving catch, and knocked Parrish to the ground with a great, physical block.
• Todd Bowles said after practice that Baker Mayfield will play in Saturday’s preseason game.