Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' camp is taking place in Tampa, Florida, and Bucs reporter Jenna Laine has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Bucs camp. We will update this file often. Will Chris Godwin be ready for Week 1? Can the defense find its way? Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.
Latest news from Bucs camp
Sources: QB Teddy Bridgewater expected to sign with Buccaneers
Bucs' Watson, the NFL's heaviest player, trying to get 'healthier'
Deion Sanders visits Buccaneers camp for son Shilo's first practice
Wednesday, Aug. 6
The Bucs will host the Tennessee Titans for joint practices Thursday before Saturday's preseason opener. Coach Todd Bowles said it is still to be determined what playing time will look like for everyone. In the past, the Bucs have opted to use joint practices instead of games for evaluation of big-name players.
"Well, [Tennessee has] a bunch of players. Obviously, Jeffery Simmons leads the way down at [defensive] tackle," Bowles said while praising the Titans' offensive staff and run scheme. "Obviously the rookie quarterback [Cameron Ward] has a great arm and they got [Calvin] Ridley on the outside. So, it'll be good competition just going against somebody else."
The Bucs have had an officiating crew at practice this week and Bowles said he'll have a close eye on that front.
"Discipline, number one," Bowles said. "The penalties have got to be light. Just good work against another team with another scheme, really. Just fundamentals and technique and getting ready to play. Can we do our scheme effectively against somebody else and do it the right way?"
They're still waiting to see how much new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can absorb, but Bowles does not anticipate that he'll play Saturday unless needed in a pinch. The only reps he took Wednesday were warmup reps, and Bowles said, "It would be unfair to put him out there and play like that."
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One day after general manager Jason Licht revealed that Bridgewater was "behind Door No. 2" during their free agent pursuit of Tom Brady in 2020, Bridgewater said, "we thought it was a lock" on signing with Tampa. "But I mean, you got the GOAT, man, Tom Brady -- hey, a lot of things get put on pause with Tom Brady. So I understood that."
Wide receiver Ryan Miller, fighting for one of the final receiver spots, had the play of the day on offense by hauling in a deep touchdown pass over the middle of the field from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Miller also hauled in a touchdown catch from Kyle Trask during a red zone period.
Cornerback Jamel Dean had not one, but two interceptions, with one coming off quarterback Connor Bazelak in which Mayfield celebrated triumphantly, and then the second coming off Mayfield on a red zone pass in which he undercut Emeka Egbuka.
Rookie cornerback and second-round draft pick Benjamin Morrison was sidelined with what coach Todd Bowles said was a tweaked hamstring.
Camp recap: Who has been the standout performer of camp?
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka may be a rookie, and sometimes it takes rookies time to assimilate from practices to NFL games like Jalen McMillan last year, but this first-round pick has stepped into Chris Godwin's role as their big slot receiver so nicely. He's smooth, he's polished, he's physically very strong, he's got great body control and he's got a very steady demeanor. When Godwin returns from his ankle injury, he'll be able to line up anywhere.
Camp recap: Who will shine under the bright lights to capture final roster spots?
The competition is much deeper at wide receiver this year, although Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson and Trey Palmer have all been sidelined with injury. But where does that leave Sterling Shepard, Rakim Jarrett, Dennis Houston and Garrett Greene? At safety, fan favorite Shilo Sanders will have to surge past Kaevon Merriweather and JJ Roberts, who have both made impact plays. And then at cornerback, Morrison, Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish are pretty much locks, so where does that leave Bryce Hall, Kindle Vildor, Tyrek Funderburk, Josh Hayes and Roman Parodie?
Tuesday, Aug. 5
General manager Jason Licht was asked about Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, who underwent a second ankle surgery this spring, potentially starting the season on the PUP list. Godwin has stood on the sidelines observing practice but has not worked out with the training staff off to the side, which is customary for injured players as they near their return.
"That we don't know yet," Licht said. "He's doing very well. He's advancing through his protocols. He's exactly where they anticipated and hoped he would be at this point. We've still got a ways to go."
As far as All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who was walking with just one crutch Tuesday after undergoing a knee scope in July, Licht said the team is proceeding with caution.
"Yeah, he's doing an excellent job. We just have to be careful and not push him out there too early. I'm sure we'll put him through a battery of tests before we deem him fit to play. I'm sure his doctors will. We just want to be careful with that one. He's a cornerstone player for us and we don't want to put him out there before it's too soon, but he's doing an excellent job."
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Quarterback Baker Mayfield returned to practice Tuesday after missing Friday and Saturday practices due to a contusion on his throwing hand. He connected with Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans on a red zone touchdown with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in coverage. "He was sharp. He was throwing the football. It's like camp days had never ended," coach Todd Bowles said. "He was very good on his reads, as far as understanding where the blitzes were coming from and knowing where to go with the football. I was happy about that."
Veteran inside linebacker Lavonte David also returned to action after missing all last week with an undisclosed injury. He delivered multiple big hits in practice, knocking the ball loose on what would have been a catch by wide receiver Ryan Miller. "He's going to make plays every time he's in there," Bowles said. "He brings energy to the group, so when he comes back, we're a lot stronger on defense."
I caught up with Lavonte David to get his thoughts on the Bucs bringing in his HS teammate Teddy Bridgewater. "A humble guy, who's willing to be great, a guy who's willing to sacrifice for the team and he's definitely someone you want to call a friend outside of football." pic.twitter.com/LDM6Sv7SuQ
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 5, 2025
Saturday, Aug. 2
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said quarterback Baker Mayfield will return to practice next week after suffering a contusion to his right throwing hand Thursday this week.
A source told ESPN that Mayfield hit it during a team period. An MRI revealed no structural damage and Mayfield has been considered "day to day." The team will hold a walk-through and conduct situational work Sunday, and then will have Monday off.
The Bucs host the Tennessee Titans for a joint practice on Thursday.
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Tight end Cade Otton, inside linebacker Lavonte David, wide receivers Trey Palmer, Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson and Ryan Miller; quarterback Michael Pratt and running back Josh Williams all sat out Saturday.
With Mayfield sidelined, backup quarterback Kyle Trask completed a 35-yard deep pass to an outstretched Bucky Irving, drawing a huge reception from the crowd, chanting "Bucky! Bucky! Bucky!"
During a two-point conversion period, cornerbacks Jamel Dean, Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison all contributed notable pass breakups, winning three out of four plays. Running back Rachaad White caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Bazelak.
Thursday, July 31
Multiple Bucs placed emphasis on getting lighter this offseason, and the team believes it's paying off. Fourth year running back Rachaad White said he's looking to play at 211 or 212 pounds, believing it will help his quickness. He was listed at 214 but played between 218 to 220.
"He's lighter, he's quicker, he looks great back there returning punts, he looks great in the backfield," coach Todd Bowles said. "He's our best blitz pickup guy. He's moving well. I like where he is mentally and physically right now. His cuts are quicker. He's always had great hands and great vision running the football. He's been great."
Second-year outside linebacker Chris Braswell has also slimmed down, but Bowles believes there's more to him playing faster than simply his physical transformation. More attention will be on him with rookie David Walker Jr. suffering a season-ending injury.
"He's coming off the ball a lot faster than he was last year because he knows what to do and he knows how to do it," Bowles said. "Now he's just letting his ability take over. He's worked all year with [Yaya Diaby]. They've become very tight. His work ethic is outstanding and he's putting it to use."
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Tight end Cade Otton and wide receiver Trey Palmer missed practice with hamstring injuries, while inside linebacker and longtime captain Lavonte David missed the second straight day for what Bowles described as leg soreness. "We're just going to take it day-to-day and wait for him to get healthy. I feel no need [for] putting him out there right now," Bowles said.
Backup safety Kaevon Merriweather jumped a route on a Kyle Trask pass intended for Rakim Jarrett and returned it for a touchdown. It was his second pick of camp after getting cut last year and then re-signing late in the season. "We had a long talk when he came back," Bowles said. "I'm not sure he thought I liked him when we had him initially. We had a long talk, we sat down, and we started watching film together and he understood where I was coming from. He's been great ever since, I'm very proud of him."
Although he didn't record an interception Thursday, safety J.J. Roberts had two notable pass breakups.
With Palmer and Kameron Johnson out, former Western Illinois wide receiver Dennis Houston has shown up a lot. He connected with Trask on several passes, including four times in a single drive.
Tuesday, July 29
Bucs rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, their second-round draft pick, notched his first interception of training camp, picking off quarterback Baker Mayfield on a pass intended for wide receiver Jalen McMillan. On the play prior, Morris surrendered a 30-yard catch to Pro Bowler Mike Evans with Antoine Winfield Jr. also in coverage.
"I was reading something today that was just like, 'You can't win and be scared to take the risk," Morrison told ESPN. "So at the end of the day, you've gotta get out there -- half the time, it's never as bad as your mind makes it to be. Just out there -- I think I'm getting the groove of things. I mean you see: One play I get done up, next play make a play. It's just a sequence of events. I'm for the rollercoaster right now. I'm ready for it."
Morrison, who missed the bulk of last season due to hip surgery, will have to fight his way onto the field with veteran starters Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, but coach Todd Bowles said they wanted to test Morrison.
"We throw a bunch of people in with the [first team defense] just to see what they're doing," coach Todd Bowles said. "Morrison has learned enough where he can go in with the 1s and not flinch. We want to see, when we throw guys in there, how they respond. Some guys go into the tank and some guys respond. He responded."
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In addition to Morrison's interception, cornerback Bryce Hall picked off quarterback Baker Mayfield in red zone on a pass intended for Emeka Egbuka. It was Hall's second interception of camp. Cornerback Josh Hayes also picked off Connor Bazelak for three picks on the day.
Evans was asked about playing in the last year of his contract with the future unknown. He said, "I feel pretty great, but as I'm getting older, I'm just focusing on what's in front of me and that's the season. ... I just feel like I'm more grateful. I've always been grateful but I have a different type of gratitude now as I'm getting up there in experience."
Friday, July 25
With the defense having dominant performances in the first two days of camp, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense had arguably their best practice so far on Friday. Whether it was beating the rush to connect with tight end Cade Otton over the middle or slipping it behind cornerback Jacob Parrish on the outside to find Mike Evans, or a 30-yard connection with Jalen McMillan -- Mayfield was finding his groove.
Several connections made with rookie Emeka Egbuka in the short to intermediate passing game stood out, including a catch near the sideline with both All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and cornerback Benjamin Morrison in coverage, as did a deep pass to rookie Tez Johnson, in which he showcased his speed with Winfield Jr. showing maximum effort to try and chase him down.
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Winfield Jr. continues to have an outstanding start to camp. In addition to his two interceptions from Day 1, he had a would-be sack on a blitz that got the crowd riled up. He spent much of the 2024 dealing with injuries. "I have to make at least one splash play a day because when it comes to game time," he said.
Rookie safety Shilo Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, batted down pass that drew chants of "Shilo! Shilo! Shilo!" from the crowd. He said, "It's great, but you know, with that, I know I have to be on my game at all times 'cause they'll love you, [but] they'll hate you at the same time if you're not doing your job. It just keeps me on my toes and keeps me paying attention to every little thing, making sure I'm not caught slipping."
Rookie outside linebacker David Walker, a fourth-round draft pick out of Central Arkansas, went down at the end of practice on a run play. He was down for some time but was able to limp off the field with the training staff at his side. Coach Todd Bowles did not have an update on his condition at the end of practice.
Bucs WR room is stacked 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dnTB51UV2d
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 25, 2025
Wednesday, July 23
Coach Todd Bowles implored his defense for more interceptions in 2025, and they delivered in the first training camp practice.
All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. notched two picks off of quarterback Baker Mayfield -- both on passes intended for Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans -- including one that came off a tipped pass by cornerback Zyon McCollum.
"Tweeze is everywhere," wide receiver Jalen McMillan said. "He is a ninja on the field."
"We've got to continue them, we've got to feed off of them, they've got to see it and they've got to feel it and they've got to rally around each other," Bowles said of the picks.
Another pick came from Bryce Hall, who suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured a fibula in his right leg in the 2024 season opener.
"From what he had, to how he came back, to where he is now is unbelievable from what I saw from him," Bowles said. "He's a tireless worker. He's in great spirits all the time. He worked at it and he earned it. He did a heck of a job today."
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Pro Football Hall of Famer and University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, father of Bucs undrafted free agent safety Shilo Sanders, was in attendance for the closed practice at the team facility. Bowles, the father of two college football players, said: "As far as I'm concerned, it's a father coming to see his son like all of us would be doing."
When asked if Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin could potentially be ready for Week 1, Bowles said he doesn't know for sure. "All I can tell you right now is that I'm hopeful. As he gets better and it goes on, we'll see how close he comes when it gets to that time." Godwin started camp on the active/PUP list after undergoing a second ankle procedure this spring.
The Bucs' reason for placing defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who became the heaviest player in NFL history at a listed 449 pounds, on the non-football illness list is because they want to see him get in better shape prior to practicing. "I'm pleased. It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player on the field," Bowles said, adding that there is no timetable for him to start practicing.