Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Week 1 of the season doesn’t typically have the same amount of injuries that a team will experience throughout the year. The Bucs did have to put backup defensive tackle Earnest Brown on injured reserve, but they were lucky enough that only one player is going to miss the season opener against the Commanders at home in Raymond James Stadium.

After Friday’s practice, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that starting defensive tackle Logan Hall will be out. Hall did not practice over the last three days as he deals with a foot injury that will sideline him as Tampa Bay begins their season.

Bowles was asked about any progress that was made, but couldn’t give a definitive response.

“He’ll be out,” Bowles said. “I hadn’t seen run so I can’t speak on his progress. He’s walking better.”

Will Bucs Elevate Another DT?

It would be fair to think that the Bucs might be thin at defensive tackle with Hall and Brown out, but they have plenty of depth at the position, including the practice squad with C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene on it. Tampa Bay currently has five available on the roster and the Bucs are still deliberating on if they’ll elevate a sixth one up.

“We’re still going through that process right now,” Bowles said. “Seeing if we can elevate six or keep five or bring up another position.”

Bowles Comments On Signing Of DT Ben Stille

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

A caveat in all of this is that the Bucs had signed Ben Stille to the active roster in replacement of Brown, who will be out for at least the next four weeks because of an injury to his ribs. Stille had his first practice in Tampa on Friday, so evidently there’s a lot of work to do just from getting the playbook down. Bowles spoke about what Stille brings to the team and how much he could be used this weekend.

“He’s tough,” Bowles said. “We know that, we’ve seen him on tape. He’s tough, he’s a good run stop. He’s very strong that way. Didn’t get to see much of him in person in practice because he just got here. We’ll see how much he can learn before Sunday.”

The Bucs take on the Commanders at 4:25 on Sunday afternoon looking to begin the season 1-0. They’ll have their top starters in Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey at defensive tackle. It’ll be a group effort to fill out the rest of the rotation to piece together.