According to The Athletic’s Greg Auman, the Bucs are waiving wide receivers Jaydon Mickens and Travis Jonsen. Mickens served as the team’s top punt and kick returner last season. Jonsen has yet to appear in an NFL game, but spent last year on the practice squad.

The release of Mickens would seem to indicate that rookie WR Jaelon Darden has won the kick and punt return jobs. A few days ago, head coach Bruce Arians said the return job was Darden’s “to win”, suggesting the rookie hadn’t yet proven himself in those roles. Darden responded with a 17-yard punt return on Saturday, his lone return of the game. He struggled on the kickoff return team with just one 16-yarder, but the blocking was poor.

If Mickens clears waivers, there is a strong chance he returns to the Bucs practice squad. The diminutive wide receiver is a reliable return man if Darden falters, fumbling zero kicks last season. Mickens is also one of the more popular and well-liked players in the locker room.

As for Jonsen, his release was widely expected, but should be temporary. Jonsen hasn’t splashed very often in two years of practices and preseason games in Tampa Bay, yet the Bucs coaching staff remains fond of him. The former college quarterback, running back and current wide receiver could potentially be a 2022 option for the team if the Bucs suffer losses in free agency. Jonsen will come back to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Bucs must make all cuts official by 4 pm EST on Tuesday. You can track all the team’s roster cuts right here.