Multiple Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starters Not Present During OTAs

There were a few starters absent from the first day of OTAs on Tuesday.

River Wells | May 22, 2024

Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Organized Team Activities take place before mandatory minicamp, and they're a great way for teams to get back in shape and get ready for the upcoming season before the long road of training camp. Despite that, though, they are optional, and like every team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had some missing players.

There were plenty of team stars to show up, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, wideout Chris Godwin and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., among others. That being said, there were a few players missing from the action:

WR Mike Evans
LT Tristan Wirfs
LB Lavonte David (present, but not participating)
DT Vita Vea
DT William Gholston
OLB Randy Gregory

Solid attendance at Bucs OTA practice today. Only key absences (and it’s voluntary): Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea, Lavonte David (here but in streetclothes), Randy Gregory.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 21, 2024

Tristan Wirfs' absence was already reported on notably after a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealing that he planned to sit out of OTAs due to a lack of new deal. The absences also make sense for the rest of these players — they're all veterans who have had their share of OTAs and likely don't need them before rookie minicamp hits. Perhaps the only interesting one is Gregory, who just joined Tampa Bay in the offseason and has never played in a Todd Bowles defense.

On top of that, three players were injured and unable to participate: Tight end Ko Kieft and rookie minicamp players in QB Zack Annexstead and wideout Tanner Knue.

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Published May 22, 2024

RIVER WELLS

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.