Teddy Bridgewater
The Buccaneers signed Teddy Bridgewater earlier this month to bolster the depth in the quarterback room. Against the Steelers in the club's second preseason game, Bridgewater started the game at quarterback and guided the Bucs to an early 14-0 advantage, connecting with Bucky Irving and Emeka Egbuka in the end zone. He completed six of 11 pass attempts for 85 yards and a 118.3 passer rating. He layered the football with precision and will be one to watch on Saturday against the Bills as he vies for the team's backup role. Overall, Bridgewater has appeared in 79 career games, making 65 starts, across 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2014–17), New Orleans Saints (2018–19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021), Miami Dolphins (2022) and Detroit Lions (2023–24). A Pro Bowl selection in 2015, Bridgewater owns a 33-32 career record as a starter.
Tez Johnson
Rookie receiver Tez Johnson has been working at the 'Z' receiver spot, lining up out wide in the Bucs' system following the injury to Jalen McMillan. Against the Steelers in Preseason Week Two, Johnson recorded a 37-yard return, showcasing his shifty footwork and lateral movement skills. Throughout rookie minicamp and training camp, Johnson has impressed with his ability to make defenders miss, creating yards after catch. The Bucs' seventh-round pick worked primarily out of the slot at Oregon and holds their No.1 and No.2 spots for most single-season catches. Johnson is electric with the ball in his hands and possesses open-field burst for both receiver and special teams' duties. In an increased role on Saturday against the Bills, Johnson will be one to watch.
Bryce Hall
Back in March, Bryce Hall agreed to a one-year deal with the Bucs, extending his time in the Bay. Hall served as the team's primary backup to Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean a year ago and a few snaps into his first regular season game in 2024 (McCollum exited with a concussion), Hall suffered a dislocated ankle and was placed on injured reserve. His most notable season came in 2017 for the Jets, when he started in all 17 contests and recorded 79 tackles and 16 passes defensed, which tied for sixth in the league. Hall plays with outstanding recognition in the short-to-intermediate area and reacts quickly in zone. The Virginia product uses his length to his advantage in 50-50 ball situations and Hall will strive to solidify a place on the roster versus the Bills.
Nick Jackson
Undrafted linebacker Nick Jackson has put on a show throughout the preseason, nabbing a sack in each of the first two games, along with an acrobatic one-handed interception in Week One against the Titans. Jackson has been a disruptive force for the Buccaneers this offseason, taking advantage of reps. He has shown his instinctiveness while dropping into coverage, blitzing and when chasing in pursuit. Jackson, a rangy athlete, plays with natural leverage and urgency. He previously played four seasons at Virginia before finishing his collegiate tenure at Iowa (two seasons). Overall, he appeared in an absurd 73 games and racked up 555 tackles, 17.0 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, one interception, 19 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He will fight for a spot on the final 53-man roster on Saturday and will likely make his presence felt at Raymond James Stadium.
Ryan Miller
Like Tez Johnson, Ryan Miller will be competing for one of the receiver depth spots. The college tight end-turned NFL receiver will have to step up in the absence of several of the Bucs' playmakers. Miller was on the field in the first quarter against Tennessee in Preseason Week One and played 34 snaps, catching a team-high six passes for 66 yards. Against Pittsburgh in Preseason Week Two, Miller played 30 offensive snaps and notched two tackles on 11 special teams plays. With Jalen McMillan headed to injured reserve and Chris Godwin rehabbing his way back from a dislocated ankle suffered in Week Seven of the 2024 campaign, the Bucs' depth has been tested. Miller has shown his prowess at hauling in contested catches, short-area quickness and tempo at route stems. He will look to add more explosives to his resumé on Saturday.
