Injury Update: Cade Otton
Bucs' tight end Cade Otton missed the majority of training camp due to a hamstring injury and returned to action near the conclusion of camp. He missed the last two days of practice and Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed he is dealing with a leg injury, as well.
"He is sore," stated Bowles. "He has another leg injury in addition to that [hamstring], so he will be out a little bit."
Following injuries to both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in 2024, Otton emerged as the primary producer in the Bucs' offense last season. In the trio of contests following the club's loss to the Baltimore Ravens via Monday Night Football in which Evans (right hamstring injury) and Godwin (dislocated ankle) sustained their respective injuries, Otton accumulated 25 catches, 258 yards and three touchdowns. He became Baker Mayfield's go-to guy on third down and showcased his ability to run an enhanced route tree. Through Week Eight, Otton ranked third in the NFL in receptions among tight ends (36), sixth in receiving yards (344), and tied for fourth in touchdown catches (3). If he is unable to play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week One, it will likely be a committee approach for Tampa Bay with Payne Durham, Devin Culp and Ko Kieft.
Three Undrafted Rookies Make Bucs Initial 53
Three undrafted free agents showcased their talents throughout training camp and made the Buccaneers initial 53-man roster including running back Josh Williams, linebacker John Bullock and offensive lineman Benjamin Chukwuma. Williams ran 13 times for 49 yards during the preseason slate and averaged 36.0 yards on kickoff returns.
"This whole time period has been stressful in a way," noted Williams. "Having to answer questions from your parents, friends and family asking the same questions over and over you do not really answer to. Knowing you have to show up to work every day not knowing if you are going to get the text or that message saying 'Hey, we are going to waive you.' It is just a great feeling for it to be over, but in my head, it is just beginning, and I have to turn it up a notch even more just to show they made the right decision in keeping me here. I just want to prove that they made the right choice."
Williams played collegiately at Louisiana State University (2019–24) and appeared in 60 career games. He totaled 1,494 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns on 314 carries (4.8 avg.), along with 71 receptions for 600 yards and one receiving touchdown. As a sixth-year senior in 2024, he played in all 13 games, rushing 55 times for 284 yards (5.2 avg.) and five touchdowns, while adding 14 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown. The former walk-on battled through injury yet impressed enough on his snaps to earn a spot.
Bullock made the 53, largely due to his contributions on special teams. He showcased his physicality on the field and impressed the coaching staff with his mental fortitude. Overall, Bullock appeared in 47 career games, making 23 starts, across four seasons (2021–24) at the University of Nebraska and he totaled 126 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, eight passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one interception (returned for a touchdown) during his collegiate tenure. Bullock originally joined Nebraska as a walk-on before earning a scholarship prior to his senior campaign. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a senior in 2024 after starting all 13 games and he registered a career-high 70 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one interception returned for a touchdown.
Chukwuma, who currently serves as the primary backup to Charlie Heck at left tackle, made the 53 after only appearing in 23 career games across two seasons (2023–24) at Georgia State University. He started 11 games during his final season at Georgia State (2024), contributing to an offensive line that yielded just 18 sacks in 449 passing attempts and averaged 389 net yards of offense per game. Despite the lack of experience, Chukwuma made his mark with athletic play and urgency on the grass.
