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Latest Bucs Headlines
Bucs fans, this is where you can get up-to-date roster cuts as Tampa Bay whittles their team down to 53 active players and 16 practice squad spots. The deadline for final cuts is Tuesday, September 1 at 4 pm EST. But news of at least the first few cuts will likely begin to break sometime on Monday.
Bucs Roster Cuts
• The Bucs have begun making roster cuts and the first one to be made public is veteran cornerback Antonio Hamilton – per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is likely an indication that Dee Delaney, who had two interceptions and six tackles at Houston in the preseason finale, will make the 53-man roster. Although that has not been announced by the team.
Bucs have released cornerback Antonio Hamilton, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2021
• Tampa Bay has waived tight end Tanner Hudson per The Athletic’s Greg Auman. This seems to be an indication that the Bucs will have just three tight ends on the roster – unless Codey McElroy somehow makes the 53-man roster. But Hudson has been better than McElroy in both practice and games, so that’s unlikely. Pewter Report has reported that the team is considering keeping seven receivers and just three tight ends on the 53-man roster. That could be be happening. Hudson could return to Tampa Bay on the practice squad, too.
Bucs are waiving tight end Tanner Hudson, their leading receiver from the first two preseason games. On the roster the last two seasons and could be claimed by another team in next few days.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2021
• Pewter Report’s JC Allen is reporting that the Bucs have released reserve safety Javon Hagan. Ross Cockrell will serve as the No. 4 safety behind starters Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Jordan Whitehead and top reserve Mike Edwards.
The Bucs are cutting safety Javon Hagan.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 30, 2021
• Undrafted outside linebacker Elijah Ponder has been waived – per Auman. And we agree with Auman in that Ponder could be back on the practice squad.
Another cut for Bucs: Undrafted rookie OLB Elijah Ponder is being waived. Had impressed in transition from defensive line, could be back on practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2021
• Auman reports that reserve tackle Jake Benzinger, a newcomer, has been waived. No surprise there.
Bucs are waiving tackle Jake Benzinger, who joined the team midway through training camp as an injury replacement. Played at Wake Forest, had been with the Colts.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2021
• Auman continues his run of breaking news, tweeting that the Bucs have waived tight end Jerell Adams.
Bucs have released veteran tight end Jerell Adams. Could come back on the practice squad, depending on what happens with Hudson and McElroy.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2021
• Per Auman, linebacker Joe Jones is also being released. This could be good news for seventh round pick Grant Stuard, if the Bucs decide to keep five linebackers.
Bucs are releasing veteran inside linebacker Joe Jones, a former Bronco who was battling for last backup job. Helps the odds for rookie Grant Stuard, though Bucs could also just keep only four ILBs on the 53.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2021
• DT Kobe Smith has been released, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Bucs are releasing DT Kobe Smith, source said. A part of last year’s Super Bowl team on the practice squad as a rookie.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2021
• Per Auman, the Bucs have waived wide receivers Jaydon Mickens and Travis Jonsen. Both could come back to the practice squad if they clear waivers.
Bucs are waiving receiver Travis Jonsen, which suggests they're keeping only six receivers on the 53. Jonsen has drawn consistent praise from Bruce Arians and would be back on the practice squad if he isn't claimed off waivers.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
Bucs are also waiving receiver Jaydon Mickens, who was their primary returner for much of last season. The drafting of Jaelon Darden put him in jeopardy, but there's a good chance he comes back on the practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
• Per Auman, the Bucs are waiving TE Codey McElroy. This means the team will roll with three tight ends on the roster, at least for the initial 53-man group.
Bucs are waiving tight end Codey McElroy, which means they'll go with only three tight ends on the 53. McElroy will come back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
• Auman also reports that cornerbacks Chris Wilcox and Herb Miller have been released. Wilcox, a rookie seventh-round pick this season, missed the beginning of training camp with an injury and was fighting an uphill battle ever since in a crowded cornerback room. Miller has been on the Bucs’ practice squad over the last two years with some brief appearances on the main roster last season. Both have a chance to be on the practice squad.
Bucs are waiving corner Chris Wilcox, a 2021 seventh-round draft pick. Limited by a hamstring injury early in camp and couldn't beat out a deep group of corners for a backup job. Potentially back on practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
Bucs are also waiving cornerback Herb Miller, who could return on practice squad. This all but assures Dee Delaney has made the initial 53-man roster with a strong finish to training camp and preseason.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
• Per Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud, the Bucs are parting ways with QB Ryan Griffin in this round of cuts. There is a strong chance Griffin could be back on the practice squad.
The Bucs will in fact release QB Ryan Griffin today. He will be among the cuts by 4 pm. Mike Evans’ restructure to his contract to provide some cap space won’t be completed until Thursday. https://t.co/OKvd1wLeeq
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 31, 2021
• According to Auman, the Bucs will waive DT Jeremiah Ledbetter and OL Brandon Walton.
Bucs are waiving defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter. With everyone back from last year's line, tough battle for the depth spots there. Had one sack last year in limited playing time.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
Bucs have waived offensive lineman Brandon Walton, who they claimed from the Steelers late in training camp. Played guard and tackle in preseason, so a good candidate to come back on practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
• Per Auman, the Bucs are waiving WR Cyril Grayson. Along with several other wide receivers, Grayson is an option to come back to the practice squad later this week.
Another cut for Bucs — they're waiving receiver Cyril Grayson, who had some big catches in preseason. Former LSU sprinter could come back on practice squad if he clears waivers — Bucs must choose from solid depth even among their WR cuts.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
• The Bucs will cut RB C.J. Prosise, OL Jonathan Hubbard and DL Benning Potoa’e – no surprise here. Prosise and Potoa’e could be candidates for the practice squad.
NFL cutdown deadline has passed, and while Bucs haven't announced their moves, I can report four more cuts: QB Ryan Griffin, RB C.J. Prosise, OL Jonathan Hubbard, DL Benning Potoa'e.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
Final two cuts to get the Bucs to 53 today — OLB Ladarius Hamilton waived, and OT Brad Seaton waived-injured. Bucs have four more cuts to make later this week when their four on reserve/COVID list come back.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 31, 2021
