The start of the Buccaneers’ 2020 training camp is right around the corner.

We think.

We hope.

Tampa Bay’s draft picks and rookies will report to the AdventHealth Training Center on Thursday, July 23 for COVID-19 testing and then they will be tested again on Sunday, July 26. Those players will then take physicals on Monday, July 27 and sign their actual contracts upon completion of the physical. Veteran players are still expected to report on Tuesday, July 28.

Some agents have put out photos of their clients signing contracts for publicity purposes after agreeing to terms with the Bucs, but in reality the actual signing of the contracts won’t take place until Monday in Tampa.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have reportedly agreed on an 80-man roster during training camp, according to Pro Football Talk, which would be 10 less than the 90 allowed in previous years. Having 10 less players may help teams in terms of social distancing requirements in the team facility, but the players that are released better stay in shape and stay by their phones. If a player tests positive for COVID-19 at any point during training camp that player must be quarantined for 14 days, so a replacement player will need to be ready to sign a contract and practice when and if that occurs.

Tampa Bay currently has 87 players on the team, so the Bucs would have to pare down their roster and release seven players to meet the new proposed roster requirements for camp. Those seven players will likely be undrafted free agents.

Bucs WR Josh Pearson – Photo courtesy of Jacksonville State

The Bucs signed 13 undrafted free agents this year, including quarterback Reid Sinnett, center Zach Shackleford, guards Nick Leverett and John Molchon, outside linebackers Michael Divinity, Cam Gill and Nasir Player, wide receivers Josh Pearson, Travis Jonsen and John Hurst, cornerback Parnell Motley, safety Javon Hagan and defensive tackle Benning Potoa’e.

As a reminder, fans of all 32 NFL teams are banned from attending training camp due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all teams must have their camps at the team facilities this summer. There will also not be any preseason games this year due to COVID-19, and any fan attending any NFL game must wear a mask, which is a new league requirement.

Some NFL teams like Philadelphia and both New York teams – the Giants and Jets – will not have any fans in the stands until further notice. Baltimore has said it will have 14,000 fans attending home games this year, while Atlanta is hoping to have between 10,000 – 20,000 fans in attendance.

There have been rumors that the Bucs are trying to have at least 25 percent occupancy at Raymond James Stadium, which holds just under 66,000 fans, this year but the team has not released any official statements on attendance plans for 2020.