The ankle and knee injury that outside linebacker Haason Reddick suffered will all but certainly keep him out for this Sunday afternoon’s game against the Saints and possibly beyond. It is a difficult loss for the Bucs’ defense to deal with as Reddick and Yaya Diaby have been heavily relied on, each playing exactly 75% of the defensive snaps so far this season.

Now, with the two-time Pro Bowler sidelined, it is time for the backup outside linebackers to fill his vacancy by collectively stepping up. Veteran Anthony Nelson is the first in line and the most capable, but there is also a window of opportunity for 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell and offseason newcomer Mohamed “Mo” Kamara to get snaps, too.

With Haason Reddick Out, Can Anthony Nelson And Chris Braswell Keep the Bucs’ Pass Rush Rolling?

Without Haason Reddick, the “next man up” mantra continues for the Bucs. As has been the case across the roster, backups will be entrusted with an important starting role. Outside linebackers coach Larry Foote does not classify them as such, though.

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: USA Today

“I mean, [it’s] just the state of the union with injuries,” Foote said about the increased workload for the other pass rushers. “[General Manager] Jason [Licht] and [those guys] do a good job with backups. In this league, nobody is a backup, especially in October, everybody is a starter and next man up.”

Head coach Todd Bowles recognizes that it will shift responsibilities more on Anthony Nelson’s plate, while also signaling that Mo Kamara will be elevated from the practice squad to active roster and suit up.

“We’ve got guys on the practice squad that we need to bring up for special teams when ‘Nelly’s’ (Anthony Nelson) load is going to increase,” Bowles said. “Obviously, ‘Bras’s’ (Chris Braswell) role is going to increase as well. So, the guys on the practice squad have to step up and fill in [special] teams-wise while ‘Nelly’ plays more defense.”

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For Braswell, it has not been the sophomore year he would have liked to have in the NFL. Not only have his snaps decreased from 30% in 2024 to 22% in 2025, but he has yet to register a quarterback yet, much less a sack. It appears he will get more of a chance in New Orleans, with Bowles excited to see what he can do on pass-rushing downs.

“He’s got to get more reps,” Bowles said. “From a mental standpoint, I think when he just pins his ears back and lets it go, he looks like the ‘Bras’ that we know.”

Larry Foote Wants To See The “Energy And Juice,” Mo Kamara Will Also Help

Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell will look to keep the pressure coming after Tampa Bay’s defense has responded to Foote’s challenge by recording 10 sacks over the past two games. That has come with Yaya Diaby getting three sacks in that span, while everyone else from reserve defensive linemen to cornerbacks has helped chip in.

Still, Foote is not completely satisfied and wants the energy to be consistent from the group.

Bucs OLBs coach Larry Foote – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“[We] still need more,” Foote said. “[It is] just the juice; when you watch those guys and you talk to those guys and mention it to them, ‘Hey, energy [and] juice.’ All of the top sack leaders in this league are the best conditioned guys and you [have] to be able to go all day. [If] that quarterback [has] the ball [for] three seconds, you [have] to be hitting him.

“That is just the standard in that room, but I am looking for energy [and] they [have] to play on fire. As pass rushers, you have to be the best conditioned guys, and you have to be able to go all day. That takes a lot of energy out of you. You have to bull and power [those] big guys, but that is the standard.”

By the way he closed his Thursday press conference, it sounds like one such player who meets that criteria is Mo Kamara. Added to the team’s practice squad after final roster cuts, Kamara is hungry and will be brought up. The next question with him, as with the rest of the outside linebackers, is how much he will play and who will make the most of their opportunity?

“He has been giving us great looks to a point where [they] are a little chippy in there, some of the old guys,” Foote said about what Kamara has brought over the past two months. “He is bringing a ton of energy, especially on punt block team. Those guys have to buckle up with him, he is a big guy, explosive guy, but he has been giving us a great look that [is] what we need. I am excited to see him this week.”

If Anthony Nelson can hold it down and make a splash play and Chris Braswell flashes the physicality the Bucs have been waiting for, the pass rush will not lose its edge. On the other hand, if the Saints’ offensive line keeps Spencer Rattler clean, Haason Reddick’s absence could expose how thin this edge group really is.