The competition at outside linebacker for the Bucs is about to pick up. Both Cam Gill and Quinton Bell returned to practice on Monday after missing a significant amount of time.

Gill had essentially been out for almost the entirety of training camp with the exception of the first three days when it began in late July. Bell participated initially, but missed time over the last week. In their absence, Elijah Ponder and Ladarius Hamilton have been getting more reps with the third and fourth string players.

Both Gill and Bell were part of the Bucs’ roster last season. Gill signed as an undrafted free agent and went on to record a half sack in Super Bowl LV. Bell was originally a draft pick of the Raiders in 2019, and then signed with the Bucs the following season. He spent the first two months on the active roster before moving to the practice squad.

With Jason Pierre-Paul, Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon and Anthony Nelson set up as the top four outside linebackers, that leaves Gill, Bell, Ponder and Hamilton in a battle for if the Bucs decide to keep a fifth. After missing so much of training camp, Gill and Bell have a lot of ground to make up.