Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner and co-chairman Bryan Glazer walks onto the field before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Raymond James Stadium field quality criticized ahead of Buccaneers-Titans game

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By River Wells | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 7:10 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans are set to face off in both teams' first preseason game on Saturday, but questions have been raised about the quality of the grass ahead of the contest.

The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST, but before that, ESPN's Tennessee Titans reporter, Turron Davenport, noted that the field at Raymond James Stadium looks to have been laid down just yesterday. As a result, the seams in the field that have yet to mend are visible, and that could pose an unfortunate combo with the rain coming down.

The grass here at Raymond James Stadium was just laid down yesterday. You can see seams in the field where it hasn't mended together. Between that and the rain, this is definitely not a great surface to play on. pic.twitter.com/Txg3bJ3yAe
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 9, 2025

That could pose a higher risk of injuries, but that could affect the Tennessee Titans more than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Buccaneers not playing starters vs. Titans

The Bucs aren't set to play their starters during this preseason game against the Titans, so injury risk to starters will be minimal. That being said, the Bucs are set to play rookies, and that includes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, the team's first-round pick. It will be a big opportunity for players on the bubble to show what they're worth, but the conditions won't be favorable.

The Titans, meanwhile, are set to play their starters for a series or two, and that includes first-overall pick Cam Ward. It will be interesting to see just how much Ward and Tennessee's other starters play, given the conditions of the field and the rainy weather.