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The Bucs announced on Thursday that they have opened up the 21-day practice window for undrafted rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson. This means Johnson will have up to three weeks to participate in practice and can be activated to 53-man roster at any time.
Johnson was placed on injured reserve on October 20 with an ankle injury, just one day before the Bucs’ Monday night game against the Ravens. He was technically eligible to come back after the bye week against the Giants but needed more time to heal.
What Role Can Johnson Have For The Bucs?
During training camp Johnson was one of the most electrifying players throughout the summer and into the fall. He had exceptional quickness and footwork, finding ways to get open and win his matchups. Plus, him being an undrafted free agent from Barton College, a school that not many had heard of, only added to the story.
The only problem was that the undersized Johnson missed several days of practice and two preseason games because he was injured often. Nonetheless, Johnson’s skillset impressed Tampa Bay enough to still keep him on the roster after cuts following the last preseason game going into the regular season.
Johnson played seldomly during the regular season until his ankle injury flared up again. He played a total of 40 offensive snaps in four games, having one rushing attempt for no gain and no receptions for on just one target. Johnson also played 20 snaps on special teams having one punt return for 11 yards in the season opener against the Commanders.
It’s at punt and kick return in particular where Johnson may end up finding a role in his return. Sean Tucker and Rakim Jarrett have been handling kick return duties as of late, but with Bucky Irving’s status in question and Tucker potentially getting asked to do more at running back, it wouldn’t hurt to use the speedy Johnson back there to entice a big play.
Punt return might even be the best spot by him. The role is currently occupied by Trey Palmer, but there’s been almost no production from the position. He’s had nine punt returns for 94 yards, averaging 10.4 yards per return and a long of 17. Palmer hasn’t been able to flip the field position like Tampa Bay would have preferred. Inserting Johnson on punts may at least provide a spark to a special teams area that has room for improvement.
It’ll be intriguing to see if Johnson is used much on offense in his return. He has top level speed, and with the Bucs’ favoritism towards screens and swing passes, this could be an aspect that he excels at if done right. With the Bucs averaging almost 28 points per game, adding extra pieces would essentially be a bonus to the group.
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Hall of Famer believes this AFC QB will win Super Bowl first
Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon just made headlines during a recent appearance on "Up Adams," where he gave his take on one of the NFL’s most debated questions. When asked which star quarterback will win a Super Bowl first, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow, Moon without any hesitation went with Jackson. “We have Josh Allen, MVP, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, they wrecked the league last year… Which one of those three do you think has the best shot to get one this year?” Kay Adams asked. Moon responded, “I think Lamar.” Moon’s reasoning for this take was not due to stats or accolades, because both have great numbers and awards, rather Moon was focused on the surrounding cast around Jackson. While he was complimentary of Allen and the team around him, he emphasized that the Ravens had a strong secondary, incredible running back and solid wideouts that could allow them to be a serious threat to win it all. It is easy to see why Moon made his opinion clear and without hesitation. Jackson is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, with four Pro Bowl nods, three All-Pro selections and two MVP awards. He is the best dual-threat quarterback in the world, and now with an incredible roster around him, Jackson has become much scarier. However, pressure is mounting on the superstar QB, and Moon did make the case for Allen to also potentially win first. “Josh Allen, they’ll be right there too. I think it depends on who plays who in the playoffs … You have to go through playing both Kansas City and Baltimore if you’re Buffalo, and same thing if you’re the Ravens, you gotta play both of those to get to the Super Bowl … But if you only have to play one of them, that would be great.” Allen is also regarded as one of the league’s best QBs too, and Moon's argument has a lot of merit to it. Both Buffalo and Baltimore are flooded with talented pieces that are hungry to make that Super Bowl run. It could come down to matchups come playoff time. If one squad has an easier route to the AFC Championship game, then it might be the one who ultimately comes out on top. As for Burrow, Moon did not mention him in the conversation, but clearly it was not meant to be a slight on him as a player. Rather, for obvious reasons, it seems that Moon might have Baltimore and Buffalo as overall rosters in a higher tier from Cincinnati. Ultimately however, time will tell who breaks first. But if Moon is correct, Jackson might finally be able to silence his critics, and make his mark on NFL history.
Maple Leafs get unfortunate news about acquiring Flames veteran
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore ways to upgrade the roster following Mitch Marner's departure in free agency. The Leafs front office has been trying to fill in the gaps along the roster, and they have been searching on the trade front. One name that has been heavily connected to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks is Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. Kadri could replace Marner very well in the lineup, but it seems that a deal could be complicated to complete. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto has tried to land Kadri multiple times this summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Kypreos believes that a deal involving Kadri returning to the Maple Leafs could be unlikely at this point in the summer. Last season, Kadri posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames. His presence has been steady on the ice for years, and Calgary could probably get a lot on the trade market for him. The Maple Leafs will likely continue to explore ways to pry Kadri from the Flames. But Calgary likely won't trade him unless it receives an offer that it deems too good to be true. But Kadri is the leader of this team, and he was the best player for them last season. Toronto doesn't have a lot of tradable assets to work with, which could be what is holding things up between the two sides. The veteran could give Toronto a nice boost, but unless the Maple Leafs up the offer, he isn't returning to town.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.
Former GM Names Yankees Prospects Likely to Be Dealt by Deadline
The Yankees aren’t hiding what they need at the deadline, especially after the weekend series in Atlanta. They need pitching, and more pitching. They need a frontline starter if they can get one. A back-end arm and high-leverage reliever if they can’t. According to former MLB GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic, that help is expected to come via trade and will cost prospects. But which ones? For now, Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. look like keepers, Bowden reports. The Yankees have been careful not to dangle either in serious talks. That leaves a deep and evolving tier just beneath them of talented, but more expendable prospects in the right deal. Right-hander Chase Hampton is out this year after Tommy John surgery but still has value in the industry. Cam Schlittler or Brendan Beck could be part of a multi-arm package. Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez Cruz offer upside in A-ball, but they’re likely a year or two away. It’s also possible the Yankees dangle recent draftee Griffin Herring, a high-floor lefty from LSU, or infielder Roc Riggio, who’s quickly becoming a fan favorite but is blocked long-term. If they’re shopping for bullpen help, a one-for-one swap involving someone like Rafael Flores, a promising catcher at Double-A, could get it done. One name to watch is Everson Pereira. Once seen as a potential long-term outfielder in the Bronx, Pereira’s injuries and inconsistent bat have pushed him to the edge of the 40-man roster. He still has tools and could be the centerpiece in a deal for a reliever or platoon bat. The Yankees have built up enough prospect depth to move from it. And with the market light on sellers, creativity and control years could matter more than pure prospect rankings. If a trade comes, it’s likely someone from this group gets the call, but not to the Bronx. it.
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