Bucs Release Center, Sign Offensive Tackle To Practice Squad

Bucs Are Familiar With Raiqwon O’Neal

Jones, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn, was cut by Tampa Bay after the last preseason game but filled out the first practice squad established by the team. Jones began his college career at East Carolina University and played his last year of college football at Auburn.

O’Neal has been on the Bucs’ radar for a little while as he enters his second NFL season. Beginning his college ball at Rutgers and then finishing up and coming out of UCLA in 2023, O’Neal signed with Tampa Bay and made it on the practice squad. He left Tampa, though, as the Seahawks signed him to the active roster. O’Neal participated in three games last season, just playing mostly on special teams with 19 snaps. He briefly had time on offense, getting four snaps in.

At the start of the 2024 season O’Neal signed with the Seahawks as a restricted free agent but didn’t crack the active roster. While he did sign to their practice squad, they released him a day later. O’Neal didn’t have to wait that long as the Bucs added him to the practice squad.

Why The Bucs Chose OT Over C

For the time being Jones became a little more expendable playing at center and guard than what Tampa Bay needs at the tackle position, even if it’s for the practice squad to begin the season. The team only has Graham Barton and Robert Hainsey listed at center, but starting left guard Ben Bredeson has also played the position before, and the Bucs have ample backups at guard with Elijah Klein and Royce Newman.

Tampa Bay has three tackles on the active roster with starters Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke along with Justin Skule. When Wirfs was still finishing up the details on his new contract extension it was Skule who came in and started for him. But Skule also suffered an injury training camp that forced him to miss some time, so it makes more sense for the Bucs to have some extra players at tackle in case something were to happen to Skule again.

The Bucs also have Luke Haggard and Lorenz Metz on the practice squad. Haggard can play guard and tackle in case of an emergency situation. Metz gives Tampa Bay an extra roster spot since he is an international exemption, but he is not NFL ready. O’Neal, who has spent time on an active roster for weeks, is more capable of handling a spot situation if he were to be called upon during the regular season.

Overall Tampa Bay has done a good job building out the depth of their offensive line this season. It got a little bit better with O’Neal on the practice squad. The Bucs have a young group on the offensive line that could be staple of the team moving ahead.