On the surface, Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett looks to be moving very well in his return from an Achilles tear. Barrett’s season was done after eight games last year because of that injury. But even after a heartbreaking offseason on many levels, he’s worked his way back to be ready by the start of the regular season.

The question of Shaq Barrett’s availability and production this season as an edge rusher is a fair one. But the fact he’s been active and participating in practice since day one of training camp is a great sign that he can regain his form sooner rather than later.

Is Shaq Barrett Fully Back?

“It feels good,” Shaq Barrett said. “It feels like a long time coming. We took it at a perfect pace to get me ready for camp. I just missed it so much and I’m just so happy to be out here to start getting back into practice flow, game flow, and just to start working with my team. I missed it a lot and I’m happy to be a part of the team again.”

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Physically, Shaq Barrett has been ready to go for quite a while. The best example of this was early on in camp when the outside linebackers were working on drills to drop back in coverage and cover specific areas. Barrett was sprinting, changing direction and moving forwards and backwards without any hesitation. He looked just as quick as he’s ever been.

“I’ve been feeling like that for a minute,” Barrett said. “All of the running and the change of direction stuff I’ve been doing with the trainers helped me get a level of confidence in myself. So, it’s just a matter of getting out here and going against an offensive tackle and getting some pressure against me while I’m trying to turn the corner.

“Once I was able to do that, feel that and maintain that – I didn’t feel anything [wrong], it felt normal. I’m ready to go, I feel like. I’m as close to 100 percent as you can possibly be a couple days into camp.”

Co-Defensive Coordinator Kacy Rodgers Weighs In On Shaq Barrett’s Return

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and co-DC Kacy Rodgers – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers has seen the the work that Shaq Barett’s put in when nobody else is watching. He gave Barrett a ton of credit for getting himself ready in the time frame that he has.

“No doubt, because going into vacation, no one knew but he has busted his butt,” Rodgers said. “Right now, not only was he just a participant but he was a full participant. That was just amazing and how eager he was to get back out there within the first couple days of practice. He wants more reps than we are giving him, so that is a good thing.”

Shaq Barrett’s said he has no issues running around and getting reps. But what about his coaches? Is there any concern or hesitation to let the premiere pass rusher go all out? Should they limit him even more?

“Not at all,” Rodgers said. “We are calling everything when he is in. We are not taking anything. Everything, we call it. He is executing, running it, everything, so no holding back.”

After Monday’s practice Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked for his assessment of Barrett’s performance after two weeks of camp.

“He looks like he is back to normal,” Bowles said. “The first two or three days you could see him being a little hesitant. Naturally, obviously, after missing that kind of time, but he has kind of settled into his own and doesn’t even think about it anymore, so he is looking a lot faster.”