Sua Opeta took part in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice on Tuesday as the team opened its third week of training camp. It was the first time in over a year that the veteran guard had seen any action on the practice field.
Opeta signed with Tampa Bay in the spring of 2024 with the idea that he would compete with fellow newcomer Ben Bredeson for the team's wide-open spot at left guard. However, the former Philadelphia Eagle tore an ACL during the first week of training camp and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. The team once again signed Opeta to a one-year deal this offseason but he started training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list.
The Buccaneers removed Opeta from the active/PUP list on Tuesday morning, clearing him to take the field. Since players on active/PUP do still count against the 91-man camp roster limit, no corresponding move was necessary to clear a spot.
Bredeson took over at left guard for the Buccaneers in 2024 and had a strong season, starting all 17 games for an offense that ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and gave Baker Mayfield the protection he needed to throw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. That earned Bredeson a new multi-year contract this offseason, but Opeta still offers the Buccaneers more experience than most of the team's offensive line reserves.
Opeta originally signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and spent his rookie season on the team's practice squad, but he made the active roster in 2020 and started two games apiece in each of the next two seasons. In 2023, the former Weber State standout saw his most significant action, playing in 13 games with six starts for Philadelphia. He has seen action at both guard and tackle in his career but is expected to work on the interior line in Tampa.
The Buccaneers still have three players on the active/PUP list: wide receiver Chris Godwin, quarterback Michael Pratt and tackle Tristan Wirfs. In addition, defensive tackle Desmond Watson is on the active/non-football illness list and linebacker Anthony Walker is on the active/non-football injury list.
