Michael Jordan now starts at left guard after Ben Bredeson landed on injured reserve Tuesday. Jordan played the final 42 offensive snaps Sunday against New Orleans after Bredeson injured his knee in the second quarter. He has already made five starts for the Buccaneers this season, four at left guard and one at right guard. Bredeson will miss at least the remainder of the regular season.
Rookie Benjamin Chukwuma, an undrafted free agent from Georgia State who made a total of 12 starts in his college career, earned his first starting assignment in place of an injured Tristan Wirfs at left tackle. Chukwuma played well, according to offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and quarterback Baker Mayfield, helping the Bucs allow zero sacks while rushing for 179 yards.
Tight end Payne Durham, who most often takes the field in two TE sets with Cade Otton, got some playing time in Otton’s place against the Saints, finishing with 23 snaps. Otton, who usually plays near max snaps, saw his percentage drop to 81 percent in the game and is on this week’s injury report due to a knee ailment. Otton caught three passes for 19 yards in the game.
The Bucs used extra receivers on a high percentage of snaps, with rookie Emeka Egbuka leading the way on 65 of a possible 74 snaps, or 88 percent. Chris Godwn played 51 snaps, Sterling Shepard 42 and Tez Johnson 34. The Bucs also split the backfield duties very evenly between Bucky Irving, who got the start in his second game back from injury, and Rachaad White, who both played exactly 36 snaps. Irving totaled 81 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown while White added 55 yards. Sean Tucker turned his 12 snaps into seven carries for 29 yards and a score.
DL: Elijah Roberts*, Greg Gaines
NT: Vita VéaElie Simmons *
DL: Logan Hall, CJ Brewer
OLB: Yaya DiabyChris Braswell, Markees Watts
ILB: Sir Vocea Dennis, Deion Jones, Nick Jackson *
ILB: Lavonte David, John Bullock *
OLB: Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson
CB: Jamel Dean, Benjamin Morrison*, Kindle Vildor
CB: Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish*, Josh Hayes
S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Christian Izien
S: Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather
