Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles will soon make a decision that could map out the immediate future in the career of outside linebacker Jack Pyburn. The Bucs have until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. to finalize their 53-man roster for the 2026 season and Pyburn, and undrafted rookie free agent out of LSU, is very much on the bubble.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Pyburn was among 15 players who were granted a TRO (temporary restraining order) against the NCAA, allowing him to return to college for the 2026 season, even as he began to impress in training camp and in the preseason for Tampa Bay. Jon Blau of The Advocate followed up with additional reporting Thursday, obtaining records from an amended lawsuit which included language suggesting Pyburn would return to LSU if not rostered by an NFL team by Sept. 1.

Bucs OLB Jack Pyburn – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Stephen Lew

The Bucs gave Pyburn $115,000 in guaranteed money to sign him, hardly chump change for a UDFA. But Pyburn, if he opts to return to college, could cash in on a lucrative NIL deal that dwarfs what he would make in the NFL this season. And so, Pyburn carried out action to line up a return to LSU – this time under Lane Kiffin – if the Bucs were to cut him.

Bowles indicated Saturday they have a lot to weigh when it comes to Pyburn and the possibility of him bolting back to Baton Rouge.

“I haven’t talked to him about that,” Bowles said. “We have talked about the situation. He didn’t know what he was going to do at the time or how he felt. He had some people he is talking to, and again, that was probably a week ago. So I don’t know where his mindset is in that regard, but it’s something we have to sort through.”

Does Jack Pyburn Has Clear Path To Make Bucs’ 53-Man Roster?

Here’s the thing: Jack Pyburn turns out good – really good – performances for the Bucs in significant preseason action. With two sacks in Friday’s 19-0 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pyburn finished the preseason with four sacks, placing him among the league leaders.

Tampa Bay typically keeps six outside linebackers on its 53-man roster. We know that Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson, and David Walker will take up five of those spots. Pyburn strengthened his case in Jacksonville to stick around, and a situation completely out of his control is further helping his cause.

Mo Kamara, a 2025 practice squad member and preseason standout, left the game at the 8:44 mark in third quarter. Kamara suffered a left knee injury that initially looked serious, as he limped off the field and was helped to the locker room. Bowles said Saturday that Kamara would undergo an MRI this afternoon, calling it a sprain “right now.”

There is concern that this could be a long-term injury for Kamara. Whatever the case, it’s hard to see a world now where he makes the 53-man roster, where he was certainly in the running prior to the injury. It paves the way for Pyburn, who has certainly caught the attention of his coaches.

“Pyburn is leading the league in sacks in preseason, so he’s made a great case for himself at a deep position,” Bowles said. “So that’s something we definitely have to look at.”

Bucs OLB Jack Pyburn – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This situation should sort itself out over the next 24 hours. But it appears nothing is stopping Pyburn from once again becoming an LSU Tiger if the Bucs do not roster him, as the SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey on Saturday communicated with attorneys that they will comply with all applicable court orders, including those in Louisiana, allowing former professional players to sign with teams in the conference, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.

Pyburn could become one of three players who were in an NFL camp this summer to make a return to college at LSU. Yes, to nobody’s surprise, it’s Kiffin who is shaking the crumbling foundation of college football. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, who signed NFL contracts with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively, have both committed to playing for LSU this season. Wright and Harris previously starred at Ole Miss under Kiffin.