The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to play all but two of their starters in Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former All-Pros Mike Evans and Lavonte David will both be veteran healthy scratches.
With each player already having over 10 years under their belts with the Buccaneers at the NFL level, head coach Todd Bowles feels comfortable that they’ll be ready for Week 1 of the regular season without appearing in the preseason.
Keeping the pair sidelined opens the door for some young players to play a bigger role on Saturday. Rookies Emeka Egbuka and Nick Jackson have been turning heads during training camp and the first preseason game, and should see more opportunities at their respective positions to show off against the Steelers.
Teddy Bridgewater will also see his first action at quarterback since 2023 this weekend. The 32-year-old was signed to a one-year deal back on August 5, and has been working to get acclimated with the organization.
Evans’ preseason ‘game’ was on Thursday at practice
During Thursday’s joint practice with Pittsburgh, Mike Evans stole the show by battling against former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. The productive day was enough for Bowles to feel that Evans was already set to go for the regular season, and playing him during the preseason wasn’t worth the injury risk.
“It’s two All-Pros,” Bowles said. “It’s two guys competing, wanting to be the best and get better. Just as hungry as [Ramsey] is, [Evans] is as well. It was a good battle. It was a good, friendly competition. Obviously, you’ve got to see the tape. There were no winners; it was just good work.”
Evans has been through plenty of offseason training programs during his 11-year career, with everything seeming to come easier as time goes on. The 31-year-old has been having fun with it all, even showing off a new “Creamsicle whip” on Thursday.
“[Evans] is definitely one of them that wasn’t playing in the game [Saturday],” Bowles said. “So [Thursday’s practice] was his ‘game.’”
After 11 seasons in a row with over 1,000 yards, it’s no wonder the Buccaneers feel confident that Evans will come into 2025 ready to go. The veteran wideout has been able to produce no matter who’s throwing him the ball, but seems to have a special connection with Baker Mayfield.
David’s love of the game is still as strong as ever
Lavonte David has been working back from a leg injury during training camp, and although he explained it won’t be an issue this season, Bowles and the Buccaneers feel comfortable leaving him on the sideline on Saturday.
On the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, David explained how things have changed over the course of his 14-year career, including how he prepares for the beginning of the regular season. Entering his age-35 season, David is focused on keeping his body in shape.
After the 2024 season, David had the opportunity to call it a career and head off into retirement. Even with some lingering injuries and bumps and bruises accumulated along the way, David chose to return, and intends to make an impact the moment that the regular season gets underway.
“Everybody’s out here just doing what it takes to be ready for the season,” David said. “I’m a [veteran] now, so I don’t take as [many] reps as everybody else, but I still feel it.”
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