Why the Buccaneers could add a veteran tight end in 2025

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear up for the regular season, they’re dealing with injuries to more than just one offensive starter. Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin are the names you know, but starting tight end Cade Otton is dealing with a leg injury that’s leaving his status for Week 1 unknown.

Otton has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. He returned to practice when the team traveled to Pittsburgh, but he's been sidelined again since August 20th with an additional leg injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles. 

"No, he's sore,” Bowles said when asked if Otton’s absence at practice was related to his original hamstring injury. “I mean, he's got another leg injury in addition to that, so he'll be out a little bit."

Bowles wouldn’t define what “a little bit” meant, and when asked if the injury could prevent him from playing in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, he said he wouldn’t know more until next week. Not a promising prognosis from the Bucs head coach.

If Otton were to miss time, the Buccaneers will rely on third-year vet Payne Durham to fill the void. It won’t be his first experience stepping up into a larger role, as he had to do the same last year when Otton missed the final three games due to a knee injury. Durham went on to record nine receptions, five of which went for first downs, for 81 yards and his first career touchdowns. He’s improved as a blocker and made his presence felt as a redzone threat. 

Second-year tight end Devin Culp would also likely see his snaps increase.  Culp has had an excellent off-season starting in spring football and carrying through into training camp. The Buccaneers didn’t feature their tight ends much in their three preseason games, but Culp showed the kind of weapon he can be in the passing game despite an untimely fumble. New Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard is expected to use Culp as a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. His size and speed require a safety in coverage, opening up 1-on-1’s for other options in the passing game.

Ko Kieft’s role wouldn’t shift much as a special team’s ace and primary blocking tight ends in short-yardage situations and heavy packages. Beyond that, the Bucs also have Tanner Taula. The third-year tight end has spent all three of his seasons on the practice squad and has yet to see an NFL snap outside of the preseason. 

The Bucs have liked what Taula has brought to the team on the practice squad, but what if Otton were to be sidelined for a few weeks? A veteran option there instead of an untested player may be a safer route to take. Luckily for the Bucs, there are still plenty of solid options available in free agency. 

Gerald Everett