The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have issued their final inactive roster for their season opener on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on September 7 with few surprises.
The complete inactive roster for the Buccaneers included left offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, wide receiver Chris Godwin, rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, cornerback Kindle Vildor, running back Josh Williams and tight end Devin Culp.
Both Wirfs (knee) and Godwin (ankle) are former NFL All-Pro selections who have been assumed to miss the first month of the season for some time and were placed on the active roster so they can practice and prepare with the team over the next month.
Another significant injury for the Buccaneers in the preseason was to second year wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who is on injured reserve and expected to miss at least the first 8 games of the season with a severe neck sprain suffered in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 16.
Most importantly for the Buccaneers was nose tackle Vita Vea being put on the active roster to play against the Falcons. Vea missed 2 days of practice in the week leading up to the game with a foot injury.
How To Watch Falcons-Buccaneers Season Opener
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the season opener between the Buccaneers and Falcons:
- When: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Line: TB -1.5
- O/U: 47.5
- 2024 records: Tampa Bay 10-7, Atlanta 8-9
Falcons Swept Season Series From Bucs In 2024
It’s not an exaggerating to say the 2 losses to the Falcons in 2024 were the 2 most head scratching defeats of the season for the Buccaneers, who finished 10-7 and won the NFC South while making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
In Week 5, the Falcons won a 36-30 overtime thriller over the Buccaneers as quarterback Kirk Cousins had a game for the ages as he set a franchise record with 509 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception — including a 45-yard touchdown pass to KhaDarel Hodge for the game winner in overtime.
From ESPN: “Cousins broke Matt Ryan’s team record for passing yards in a game (503) with one of the most prolific performances in NFL history. Only 14 quarterbacks have thrown for more yards in a game, led by Norm Van Brocklin’s mark of 554 yards that has stood since 1951.”
In Week 8, the Falcons won 31-26 in Tampa Bay in a game that should come with some pretty important annotations. It’s worth pointing out the Buccaneers were probably still in shock after a Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in which Godwin’s season ended with a grotesque dislocated ankle and wide receiver Mike Evans was knocked out for a month with a hamstring injury.
Buccaneers Have Revamped Secondary In 2025
One issue for the Buccaneers in 2024 was the play of their secondary — especially against the Falcons.
Tampa Bay should have a revamped secondary this season. NFL All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is healthy after missing a career high 7 games in 2024. Rookie and third round pick Jacob Parrish earned a starting spot at slot cornerback in the preseason.
One of last year’s starting cornerbacks, Zyon McCollum, just signed a 3-year, $48 million contract extension on September 5.
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