Cameron Brate: Buccaneers workouts were 'calculated risk'

Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate announced earlier this week that he has tested positive for the coronavirus this offseason and has recovered. When asked about his workouts with Tom Brady and other teammates earlier this offseason, Brate said it was a risk similar to anyone playing this season.

"We just tried to avoid the risk of exposure to each other as much as possible," Brate said. "We weren't huddling up, we weren't hugging each other or anything like that. We were just having a little catch outside so it was kind of a calculated risk, I would say, that we took in that regard. We did the best we could to try to maintain social distance and really not have too much close interactions with one another."

Brate is correct that anyone playing is taking a certain health risk, as evidenced by the number of players who have chosen to opt out of the upcoming season over the past few days due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many players have openly criticized the NFL's lack of clarity about how they plan to keep players safe.

Buccaneers fans will be relieved to hear that Brate has recovered, as many believe that he may have his best season yet now that Brady is under center. Last season, Brate started just six games, racking up 311 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Buccaneers should have one of the most potent offenses in the league with Brate, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski catching passes.