Bucs Nation

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is cleared to play for Week 1 season opener against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is cleared to play for Week 1 season opener against Tampa Bay.

Cornerback DJ Turner II remained limited with a hamstring injury but carries no game-status designation for Week 1 season opener against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was a full participant Friday despite toe injury history and carries no game-status designation for Week 1 season opener against Cincinnati.

Running back Sean Tucker carries a doubtful designation for Week 1 season opener against Cincinnati after being limited during Friday's practice with a hamstring injury.

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan carries a doubtful designation for Week 1 season opener against Cincinnati after being limited during Friday's practice with a knee injury.

Baker Mayfield signed a contract extension with Tampa Bay that provides quarterback stability for the franchise. He has established himself as the unquestioned leader of the Buccaneers offense, giving the team a proven veteran to build around heading into the 2026 season.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins remained a full participant Thursday with no injury concerns, indicating full availability for the Bengals' Week 1 season opener against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase remained a full participant Thursday with no injury concerns, indicating full availability for the Bengals' Week 1 season opener against Tampa Bay.

Cornerback DJ Turner II was limited Thursday with a hamstring issue, indicating a potential concern for the Bengals' secondary heading into Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was a full participant Thursday despite a toe injury, indicating no significant availability concerns for the Buccaneers' Week 1 matchup against Cincinnati.

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan remained limited for a second straight day Thursday with a knee injury, indicating continued concern heading into the Buccaneers' Week 1 matchup.

Running back Sean Tucker returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday with a hamstring injury, showing encouraging movement ahead of the Buccaneers' Week 1 season opener against Cincinnati.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins was a full participant in Week 1 prep despite a foot injury; positive sign for availability heading into Cincinnati's season opener against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was a full participant in Week 1 prep despite a knee injury; positive sign for availability heading into Cincinnati's season opener against Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was a full participant in Week 1 prep despite a toe injury; positive sign for availability heading into Sunday's season opener against Cincinnati.

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan was limited in Week 1 prep with a knee injury; availability to be clarified through Thursday and Friday practices before the Buccaneers' season opener.

Running back Sean Tucker did not participate in Week 1 prep, sitting out with a hamstring injury; the only Buccaneer to miss practice entirely, raising immediate availability concerns for Sunday's season opener against Cincinnati.

Baker Mayfield signed a 3-year, $165 million contract extension ($55M/year average) with the Buccaneers, solidifying his role as the franchise quarterback through 2028 and beyond. The deal represents the richest contract in Buccaneers history and ranks third in NFL quarterback salary behind only Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. In 51 starts for Tampa Bay, Mayfield has posted 12,237 passing yards, 95 passing touchdowns (top 5 in NFL), and 37 interceptions, plus 923 rushing yards and 5 rushing scores. Though he started 2025 hot before injuries and team dysfunction derailed the season, the extension signals mutual confidence in a rebound with a refreshed approach heading into 2026.

Godwin returns to the captain role after previously serving as captain in 2023; reflects his continued importance to the Buccaneers offense and leadership structure despite prior absence from the captaincy in 2025.

Mayfield returns as a team captain for the 2026 season, one of four captains retained from the 2025 team; reflects continued leadership role and organizational confidence in his quarterback position.

Mayfield enters 2026 in a contract year after the Buccaneers and quarterback could not reach a long-term deal before his deadline; Mayfield was vocal in expressing frustrations about the failed negotiations. The source notes uncomfortable conversations have been had about his status with the team beyond this year, creating job security uncertainty heading into the season.

McMillan, one of Tampa Bay's top two wide receivers, is dealing with an injury ahead of the team's Week 1 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals; the Buccaneers have growing concerns over his status, though the hope is he will be healthy and ready to go.

Egbuka, Tampa Bay's top wide receiver, is dealing with an injury ahead of the team's Week 1 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals; the Buccaneers have growing concerns over his status, though the hope is he will be healthy and ready to go.

Daniels made the biggest jump during Buccaneers training camp and earned his roster spot on the 53-man roster, suggesting significant progress and improved standing within the organization heading into the regular season.

Acquired by the Green Bay Packers in a trade at the cutdown deadline to serve as insurance at running back; move suggests the team views him as depth/backup option given Josh Jacobs' potential injury absence.

Potentially missing the start of the season for the Green Bay Packers, prompting the team to acquire insurance at running back; injury status creates uncertainty around his availability for Week 1.

Will Levis, the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, was waived by the team and is now looking for a new opportunity.

Odell Beckham made the New York Giants' 53-man roster.

Jake Browning was cut by the Buccaneers in a surprise move after losing the backup quarterback competition to Jalon Daniels; Daniels' preseason performance warranted the roster decision.

Jalon Daniels won the backup quarterback competition with the Buccaneers, beating out Jake Browning for the role; his preseason performance warranted the roster decision.

Wide receiver Garrett Greene signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. He was with the Buccaneers during training camp.

Wide receiver Eric Rivers Jr. signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. He was with the Buccaneers during training camp.

Tight end Devin Culp signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. He was with the Buccaneers during training camp.

Wide receiver Dean Patterson IV signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. He was with the Buccaneers during training camp.

Josh Williams signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. The running back was featured in recent preseason action, scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on August 14, 2026, demonstrating offensive involvement during training camp evaluation.

Easton Stick signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad after being waived by the Indianapolis Colts on August 30. The 6-1, 224-pound quarterback has appeared in six career games for the Los Angeles Chargers (four starts), completing 112-of-175 passes (64.0%) for 1,133 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception with an 85.7 passer rating. He was originally a fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) by the Chargers in the 2019 NFL Draft and spent six seasons with the organization before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 and the Colts in 2026. At North Dakota State University, he started 52-of-55 games with a 49-3 record, finishing as the FCS's all-time winningest quarterback with 8,693 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, and 129 total touchdowns responsible for. He will wear No. 16 for Tampa Bay.

Wide receiver David Sills V was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, sidelining him to start the 2026 regular season.

Quarterback Jake Browning's contract was terminated as part of the Buccaneers' final roster moves to reach the 53-man limit ahead of the 2026 regular season, removing him from the active roster.

Cut by Tampa Bay as part of roster trimming ahead of 53-man roster deadline.