Oct 26, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham (87) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers Tight End Gets Good News After Injury Scare

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By River Wells | Last updated Aug 14, 2024 10:44 PM ET

There have been plenty of near-misses in training camps all across the NFL when it comes to injuries, and thankfully, it seems like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced another one.

Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham left Day 1 of joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday with a knee injury, and head coach Todd Bowles revealed that he was being tested to see the extent of the injury. Thankfully, the X-rays and MRI came back negative, meaning that Durham should be okay.

I’m told, per source, the X-Rays and MRI for #Bucs TE Payne Durham’s knee came back negative. He should be fine but will be day-to-day. Durham left joint practice with the Jaguars Wednesday with the injury. #Buccaneers
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) August 15, 2024

The news comes after the Buccaneers had a similar scare with pass rusher Yaya Diaby, who was carted off at Buccaneers practice earlier in training camp. While initial fears were great, both his X-ray and MRI came back negative and he too should be fine for Week 1.

Payne Durham should be a big part of the offense in 2024, as tight end Cade Otton played a ridiculous amount of snaps last year. Durham should get more playtime in Year 2 in hopes that Otton won't be in quite as much, and he's had a promising camp so far up to this point. Hopefully, he can get better soon and offensive coordinator Liam Coen can start scheming him into the offense.