TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS NEWS

Tyrek Funderburk - Dealing with foot injury Funderburk sported a walking boot on his left foot and didn't practice Thursday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Buccaneers head coach said after Thursday's practice that Funderburk is day-to-day, per Caleb Skinner of SI.com. The 23-year-old undrafted rookie is nonetheless at risk of missing the team's second exhibition contest, which will take place Saturday versus Jacksonville. Funderburk has turned heads during training camp and is in contention for a spot on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster or the practice squad.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Baker Mayfield - Sitting out vs. Jacksonville Mayfield will not suit up for Saturday's game against the Jaguars, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Buccaneers will once again hold the majority of starters out of Saturday's second exhibition contest, as the team did last week versus the Bengals. Mayfield's final chance to log any preseason reps will come Friday, Aug. 23, at home against the Dolphins.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

2024 NFL preseason Week 2 odds, lines, spreads

NFL preseason is underway! Check out the odds, lines and spreads for every game during Week 2 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

AUGUST 15

Payne Durham - Labeled day-to-day Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Durham (knee) is considered day-to-day, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Durham injured his knee during practice Wednesday, but at the very least it appears that the second-year pro has avoided a severe issue. It currently appears as though Durham has a solid grip on the backup spot behind No. 1 tight end Cade Otton, so his availability is key for Tampa Bay's offense. It could be difficult for Durham to get healthy in time for Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, however.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Madden NFL 25 ratings: Highest rated players at each position

With Madden 25 set to release this Friday, FOX Sports has broken down the top five highest rated players at each position.

AUGUST 15

Tanner Knue - Multiple roles in preseason opener Knue secured two of five targets for 29 yards, returned one kickoff for 30 yards and ran back two punts for 22 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Satu...

Impact The undrafted free agent had a chance to show off his versatility while tying for the team lead in targets. Knue's usage as a returner was particularly noteworthy, considering he ran back all of one kickoff during his six-year college tenure at Eastern Michigan. Knue appears to almost certainly be a practice-squad candidate at best due to the Buccaneers' deep receiver corps, but the coaching staff is apparently intrigued by his talent given the amount of opportunity he saw in his first preseason game.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Braswell - Records sack in joint practice Braswell, the Buccaneers' rookie second-round pick, used his speed to record a would-be sack during Wednesday's joint practice with the Jaguars, Brianna Dix of the team's official...

Impact Braswell had just a single tackle in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night, but Dix reports the rookie showed off his speed and athleticism Wednesday by utilizing a long-arm maneuver on the offensive tackle and pushing him into the quarterback. Braswell is expected to play a key rotational role right from the onset of his career, with Tampa Bay banking on the same talent that led to him leading the SEC in quarterback pressures (56) in 2023 manifesting itself regularly at the NFL level.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Payne Durham - Suffers knee injury Wednesday Durham suffered a knee injury about halfway through the Buccaneers' joint practice with the Jaguars on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The severity of the second-year tight end's injury is still unknown, with head coach Todd Bowles confirming Durham would be undergoing tests Wednesday afternoon. Greg Auman of FOXSports.com separately reports the initial read is that Durham's injury isn't serious, but until he can return to the field, the likes of Devin Culp, David Wells and Sal Cannella could all see more pass-catching opportunities behind Cade Otton.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Payne Durham - Suffers knee injury Wednesday Durham suffered a knee injury about halfway through the Buccaneers' joint practice with the Jaguars on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The severity of the second-year tight end's injury is still unknown, with head coach Todd Bowles confirming Durham would be undergoing tests Wednesday. Greg Auman of FOXSports.com reports the initial belief is that Durham's injury isn't serious, but until he can return to the field, the likes of Devin Culp, David Wells and Sal Cannella could all see more pass-catching opportunities behind No. 1 tight end Cade Otton.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

NFC breakout candidates: A new potential star for every team

Here are 16 players to watch in 2024 — one from each NFC club who might not be well-known beyond his own fan base, but soon can be.

AUGUST 14

John Wolford - Still has shot at No. 2 job Wolford remains in a close competition with Kyle Trask for the No. 2 quarterback job, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact Wolford was the presumptive No. 3 quarterback throughout the offseason and heading into the first preseason contest, but the veteran journeyman played well throughout the second half of the exhibition win over the Bengals on Saturday night. Wolford spent some late-season time on the Buccaneers' practice squad in 2023, but with both him and Trask starting from scratch in new coordinator Liam Coen's scheme this offseason, it seems Wolford is doing enough to give himself a chance at the primary backup job.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Trask - Not locked into No. 2 job Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Trask and John Wolford are still in competition for the No. 2 quarterback job, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact Trask has been the presumptive No. 2 quarterback this offseason and training camp after filling that role in 2023, but Bowles is apparently making the University of Florida product earn that slotting again this summer. The two quarterbacks each played a half in Saturday night's preseason-opening win over the Bengals and put up comparable numbers, so the competition could last through the entirety of the preseason slate.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Kameron Johnson - Struggling with rib injury Johnson (ribs) participated in limited fashion in Monday's practice, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The undrafted rookie did not play in Saturday's preseason-opening win over the Bengals and is not yet able to participate in practices without restriction. Johnson had impressed teammates and coaches since arriving in May, but unless he can get on the field for at least one of the final two preseason games, it may be difficult for the Barton College product to even garner a practice-squad spot.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen McMillan - Wears red non-contact jersey Monday McMillan was dealing with what head coach Todd Bowles labeled "general soreness" Monday, leading to the rookie wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice, Scott Smith of the team...

Impact McMillan continued to make a strong case for the No. 3 receiver job in Saturday's preseason win over the Bengals, recording two receptions for 23 yards. However, it appears McMillan's first taste of professional on-field action also left him a bit worse for wear in the short term, and it remains to be seen if if the rookie will be able to participate in the first day of joint practices with the Jaguars on Wednesday.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Sterling Shepard - Dealing with undisclosed injury Shepard, who did not play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bengals, is dealing with an unspecified injury and didn't practice Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official s...

Impact Smith notes the veteran wideout actually began missing practice time in the days leading up to the game versus Cincinnati. Shepard, who was a college teammate of Baker Mayfield, is expected offer veteran depth, although he may realistically serve as no more than a No. 5 receiver given the promising play of both rookie Jalen McMillan and second-year wideout Trey Palmer.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Rakim Jarrett - Nursing unspecified injury Jarrett did not practice Monday due to an undisclosed injury, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The second-year wideout was able to log 31 snaps in the preseason-opening win over the Bengals on Saturday night, but head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Jarrett was a non-participant in the first practice following that contest. Bowles confirmed Jarrett was "nursing an injury" without offering any more specifics, and it remains to be seen if the receiver will be able to participate in the first day of joint practices with the Jaguars on Wednesday.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

D.J. Williams - Gets extended look Saturday Williams rushed 10 times for 29 yards and brought in his only target for six yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact Williams came into the game on the first drive of the second half and tied Sean Tucker for a team high in carries on the night. The undrafted rookie from Arizona is battling Tucker for a reserve running back role behind the top projected top duo of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, and he should be in line for another solid allotment of playing time in a preseason road matchup against the Jaguars on Saturday night.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Chase McLaughlin - Rare miss in preseason opener McLaughlin made a 35-yard field goal and misfired on a 51-yard attempt while also making both his extra-point tries in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Satur...

Impact McLaughlin posted a career-best 93.5 percent success rate on field goals during the 2023 regular season and went 7-for-8 on attempts from 50+ yards, so Saturday's miss was an outlier with respect to his time on the Buccaneers. The veteran placekicker's job is completely secure heading into the 2024 season, and McLaughlin should have a chance to continue working out the kinks over the final two preseason contests.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

John Wolford - Strong work in second half Saturday Wolford completed 12 of 18 passes for 131 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night. He also rushed twice...

Impact Wolford played the entire second half after Kyle Trask started and handled the first two quarters. Wolford led the Buccaneers to a field goal on his first drive and subsequently helmed an eight-play, 69-yard march late in the fourth quarter that culminated in a Ramon Jefferson three-yard go-ahead touchdown run. Wolford again profiles as a serviceable No. 3 quarterback heading into the 2024 campaign, and he should continue to see a solid allotment of playing time across the final two preseason games.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Trey Palmer - Chunk gain on one catch Palmer brought in his only target for 21 yards and returned two punts for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact Palmer drew a start with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both sitting out, and he made an impression on his one connection with Kyle Trask. The second-year wideout impressed as a rookie while taking hold of the No. 3 receiver job, but he's now trying to fend off a serious challenge from rookie third-round pick Jalen McMillan, who posted a 2-23 in his first taste of professional action Saturday night. The job battle between the two should continue through the entirety of the exhibition slate, but Palmer's roster spot is likely safe under any circumstance.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Payne Durham - Two grabs in preseason opener Durham secured both targets for 27 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact The second-year tight end drew the start with Cade Otton sitting out with the rest of the Buccaneers' frontline skill-position players. Durham finished third in receiving yards on the night for Tampa Bay, with the highlight of his night a 16-yard grab. Durham appears to have firm grip on the No. 2 tight end job, but it was nevertheless encouraging to see him turn in a solid performance in his first in-game opportunity within new offensive coordinator Liam Coen's scheme.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Rakim Jarrett - Pair of catches in preseason win Jarrett secured both targets for 35 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact Jarrett was second on the Bucs in receiving yards on the night, slotting in just seven yards behind one of his primary competitors for a deep reserve receiver spot in Ryan Miller. Jarrett has the advantage of having appeared in 10 regular-season games as a rookie in 2023, but with Miller having recorded a team-high 42 receiving yards Saturday, Jarrett appears to have formidable competition on his hands.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Ryan Miller - Leads pass catchers in opener Miller secured three of five targets for 42 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact The second-year pro set the pace for the Buccaneers in receptions and receiving yards while sharing the team lead in targets. Miller was on the practice squad in 2023 but did log two snaps from scrimmage and 12 special-teams snaps in one regular-season game, and his current push to land a deep reserve receiver spot certainly got off to a strong start with Saturday's performance. However, Miller will have to continue standing out to have any chance of that occurring, considering he has formidable competition in the form of Rakim Jarrett, among others.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Greene - Misses practice with leg injury Greene was held out of practice Monday due to a right leg issue, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Auman notes that Greene had a sleeve on his right leg while also suggesting that the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Greene didn't play at all after Week 11 last season due to a calf issue, but it's not clear if his current leg injury is related. He's competing for a rotational role on Tampa Bay's defensive line.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Sean Tucker - Impresses in preseason opener Tucker rushed 10 times for 68 yards and brought in both targets for eight yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday.

Impact Tucker had both the game's longest run (26 yards) and a team-high rushing yardage tally, getting his latest quest for a roster spot off to a noteworthy start. The 2023 undrafted free agent was able to beat the odds a year ago by appearing in 11 regular-season games, although he did not log a touch after Week 3. Tucker offers some explosiveness and is serviceable as a receiver, so he could certainly find his way back on the 53-man with a combination of a strong preseason and the prolonged absence of Chase Edmonds (undisclosed).

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE