Category: Latest Team News

Bucs rookies Rachaad White, Cade Otton keep rewarding Tom Brady’s trust

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies Rachaad White and Cade Otton keep proving that Tom Brady can trust them when the game’s on the line

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed two touchdowns in the final minutes to beat the New Orleans Saints, the greatest quarterback of all time turned to a pair of rookies to make it happen.

Sure, there were other players involved as Tom Brady marched the Bucs down the field for back-to-back touchdown drives to steal a 17-16 win. But when the GOAT needed to put the ball in the end zone with the game on the line, he called for No. 88 and No. 29.

Cade Otton, fourth-round tight end, caught the first score from Brady to cut the Saints’ lead in half. Rachaad White, third-round running back, caught the game-winner with just three seconds left on the clock.

“The way they come in and prepare and study every week – learning from the older guys, not making the same mistakes twice, allowing us to trust them,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday when asked about Otton and White. “In return, they’re producing for us. I think it’s been great and the growth is just going to continue. Those two guys making plays at the end of the game are the same plays they make in practice. We’re used to seeing it and they just carried it over.”

“I put the work in day in and day out at the practice field just gaining ‘TB’s’ (Tom Brady’s) trust, Mike [Evans] – all the vets,” White said Wednesday. “Coach as well – they trust the guys to believe in me to be able to come to me about anything, come to me for a play that we ran, things like that. It’s just the consistency and the work you put in every week and every day.”

Earlier this season, when the Bucs needed a similar last-second touchdown to seal a comeback win against the Los Angeles Rams, Brady found Otton for the Washington product’s first career score.

Monday night’s game-winner was the first touchdown catch of White’s career.

That won’t be the last time Brady looks for his rookie teammates when he needs a big play in crunch time.

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Bucs make more roster moves heading into Week 14

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making more roster moves as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers

After making a handful of roster moves Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were back at it again Wednesday.

Linebacker K.J. Britt has been designated to return from injured reserve, opening up a 21-day window during which he can practice and be added back to the active roster at any point.

The Bucs also brought back rookie safety Nolan Turner to the practice squad, and signed offensive tackle Grant Hermanns to the practice squad, as well.

Britt’s return will give the Bucs some valuable depth behind Lavonte David and Devin White, as give them back one of their best special teams players.

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Bucs waive WR Jaelon Darden, make additional roster moves

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are waiving their primary return specialist, among other roster moves

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reshuffling their roster after Monday night’s dramatic win over the New Orleans Saints.

Wide receiver Jaelon Darden has been waived, while defensive back Ryan Smith and offensive tackle Dylan Cook were released from the practice squad.

Darden has served as the Bucs’ primary return specialist on both punts and kickoffs, so his departure is a bit surprising. Rookie running back Rachaad White has been seen on kick returns, as well, so he might be in line to replace Darden moving forward.

A fourth-round pick out of North Texas in 2021, Darden ranks seventh in the NFL in punt return average, and leads the NFL in total punt return yardage.

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Rachaad White is the 97th different player to catch a TD from Tom Brady

Tom Brady has now thrown a touchdown pass to 97 different players throughout his legendary career

Add another one to the list.

With Monday night’s game-winning score with just three seconds left to beat the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has now thrown a touchdown pass to 97 different players throughout his legendary career (via Greg Auman of Fox Sports).

This one went to rookie running back Rachaad White, the first of his NFL career, capping off an epic comeback win after the Bucs trailed 16-3 late in the fourth quarter.

Brady still has five games remaining this season, and maybe in his career, to hit the 100 mark in this category.

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Bucs DL William Gholston nominated for NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year

Defensive lineman William Gholston is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ nominee for one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors

After three straight years, Mike Evans is passing the torch to another longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammate when it comes to one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL.

Defensive lineman William Gholston is the Bucs’ nominee for this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, honoring players who are making a big impact in their communities.

One of the longest-tenured players on the current roster, along with Evans and linebacker Lavonte David, Gholston has been involved in a long list of community initiatives, which can be found here in the team’s official release.

David surprised Gholston earlier this week with the announcement that he would be this year’s nominee:

Congrats to Gholston, and every other player across the league who is working hard to serve their community, both on and off the field.

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Bucs inactives: Who’s in, who’s out Monday night vs. Saints?

See who won’t be suiting up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night against the New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their list of inactive players for Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints, and there’s plenty of bad news for the defensive backfield.

Both of Tampa Bay’s starting safeties (Mike Edwards, Antoine Winfield Jr.) are out, as is No. 3 cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.

All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs is an unsurprising scratch after the ankle injury he suffered last week against the Cleveland Browns.

Tight end Cameron Brate, wide receiver Breshad Perriman, and quarterback Kyle Trask round out the list.

The good news? Both of Tampa Bay’s starting defensive tackles (Vita Vea, Akiem Hicks) are active, despite being limited by foot injuries throughout the week.

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Bucs make roster moves ahead of Monday night’s game vs. Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are shuffling their roster ahead of Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are shuffling their roster ahead of Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Veteran defensive back Logan Ryan has been activated from injured reserve, with rookie safety Nolan Turner being waived to make room for him on the active roster.

With both Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards listed as doubtful on this week’s final injury report, the return of Ryan couldn’t come at a better time for the back end of Tampa Bay’s banged-up secondary.

Bucs also elevated cornerback Anthony Chesley and linebacker Ulysees Gilbert from the practice squad to the active roster for Monday night’s game.

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Report: Bucs DL Vita Vea, Akiem Hicks expected to play vs. Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have both of their starting defensive tackles in the lineup Monday night against the New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have both of their space-eating defensive tackles in the lineup for Monday night’s prime-time showdown with the New Orleans Saints.

Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks are both expected to play Monday night despite dealing with foot injuries, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Both players were listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report.

Hicks suffered his initial foot injury during Tampa Bay’s win in Week 2 back in New Orleans, while Vea played through his last week against the Cleveland Browns.

Having both in the lineup should be a huge boost for the Bucs, as they look to contain one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs in Alvin Kamara.

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Which uniform combo are the Bucs wearing Monday night vs. the Saints?

See which uniform combination the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be wearing for Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to avoid the disappointment they’ve experienced in recent home matchups in prime time against the New Orleans Saints, as their NFC South rivals come to town Monday night.

The Bucs will be wearing red jerseys for the occasion, along with pewter pants and helmet, and they’re asking fans to follow suit.

Throughout the week, the team’s social media channels have encouraged fans to create a “Red Out” at Raymond James Stadium on Monday night, wearing as much red as possible to match the team’s jersey choice.

The Saints will be wearing their new black alternate helmet, which they debut earlier this season during their game in London against the Minnesota Vikings.

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Bucs LB Devin White named NFLPA Community MVP

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White has been named this week’s NFLPA Community MVP

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White has been named this week’s NFLPA Community MVP.

White distributed 500 turkeys to residents in his home state of Louisiana last week, and also provided 45 Thanksgiving meal kids that fed 450 foster kids and their families in Florida.

One of the Bucs’ defensive captains, White has been grieving loss of his father, who died on November 10th, just hours before White had to travel to Munich for Tampa Bay’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was given the game ball by head coach Todd Bowles after a spirited performance that helped lead the Bucs to a 21-16 victory.

As much as White has helped the Bucs enjoy tons of success on defense over the last few years, he’s made an even bigger impact in his local communities.

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