The Bucs have introduced that they’re elevating two gamers from their follow squad prematurely of their week 15 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Punter Jack Browning and security Ryan Neal have each been made obtainable to play on Sunday. That is Browning’s second elevation after making his skilled debut final week towards the Raiders. That is Neal’s first elevation of the yr after Tampa Bay signed him to the follow squad two weeks in the past.
Jack Browning Trying To Discover Consistency For Bucs
Bucs P Jack Browning – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Browning’s efficiency final week continued a pattern of poor play the Bucs have obtained from their punter place this yr. After inconsistency plagued former fourth spherical draft decide Jake Camarda final yr and into this yr Tampa Bay waived him in late October. The crew quickly signed Trenton Gill from their follow squad, however he was equally underwhelming. That led normal supervisor Jason Licht to chop Gill as properly.
Browning’s first crack at bringing competency to the place fell quick. He averaged simply 42.7 yards per punt with a 32.7-yard internet common. Two of his makes an attempt have been returned for a complete of 30 yards and he positioned only one boot contained in the 20. Browning was additionally lackluster on kickoffs with the Raiders averaging a beginning area place of virtually their very own 30-yard line.
Browning will seemingly have another shot to show he might be the Bucs’ punter for the remainder of the season after this week. He has only one extra elevation allowed earlier than the crew should signal him to the lively roster or seek for an alternate choice to complete out the 2024 marketing campaign.
Ryan Neal Appears to be like for Redemption In Return
Payments TE Dalton Kincaid and Bucs SS Ryan Neal – Picture by: USA Right now
Neal performed 16 video games, together with the playoffs, for the Bucs final yr after signing a one-year cope with Tampa Bay late in the summertime. Tampa Bay hoped he might construct off of a top quality season with the Seahawks in 2023 by pairing him with eventual All-Professional Antoine Winfield Jr. Sadly, it was to not be. Neal was routinely victimized in protection as his lack of athleticism confirmed in poor angles whereas he additionally struggled to make appropriate reads in protection. He completed the season with 76 tackles, together with 4 for a loss. He didn’t intercept or protection a single move all season.
However accidents within the again seven have compelled a rekindling of the Neal-Bucs relationship. Beginning robust security Jordan Whitehead is at the moment on injured reserve with a pectoral damage. Winfield Jr. can also be out for this recreation as he offers with a knee damage of his personal. Backup Mike Edwards has additionally been dominated out with a pulled hamstring. And jack-of-all-trades defensive again Christian Izien is coping with a groin damage and is questionable for the Chargers recreation.
Add in accidents to linebackers Ok.J. Britt (out – ankle) and J.J. Russell (questionable – hamstring) and there’s a actual chance head coach might have Neal to log some significant snaps. Particularly if Bowles desires to make use of a few of his 5-1-5 dime appears that he employed final week towards the Raiders. As a deep security Neal is a legal responsibility. However as a field dime backer, he might probably add some motion abilities Tampa Bay has lacked with their linebacking corps this yr.
On the very least, Neal’s elevation alerts Izien is probably going a no-go on Sunday.
Each gamers have one thing to show. Each gamers are coming off of disappointing performances the final time they have been on the sector for the Bucs. Each will search for redemption on Sunday.
