The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury to rookie JJ Roberts during joint practice on August 14.
Per Pewter Report beat writer Scott Reynolds, Roberts “suffered a significant knee injury” while playing special teams at practice. This was the second season-ending injury to a rookie this summer, as draft pick and outside linebacker David Walker was also lost for all of 2025.
Roberts, who profiled as a dark horse to make the 53-man roster after a strong OTAs, broke silence on the year one setback on August 17.
“‘And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you,’” the rookie wrote on X, quoting the bible verse, “1 Peter 5:10.”
Roberts also added that “my story is only the beginning…..”
Buccaneers’ Safety Battle Narrows After JJ Roberts Injury

GettyDoes Shilo Sanders have a realistic shot at making the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 1 roster?
The Buccaneers’ safety competition was initially a bit wide-ranging behind projected starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith. Winfield is dealing with a lower leg injury, but is expected to be ready for Week 1.
Either way, the position battle has narrowed after injuries to Marcus Banks and Roberts.
After the two starters, it’s still a mystery as to how head coach Todd Bowles will end up configuring his secondary. Bowles made it clear that nickel CB/safety Christian Izien is a virtual lock to make the roster.
Rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish, a third-round selection, will also be on the 53-man roster. And it’s possible Parrish could steal the starting nickel role from Izien, allowing the veteran to serve as a backup safety and slot CB.
So, let’s say Izien and Parrish both make the team; would the Buccaneers then keep three additional safeties (including Winfield and Smith), or four?
If the answer is three, that would leave one roster spot for just three competitors, barring a late addition. Those three challengers are Kaevon Merriweather, Rashad Wisdom, and undrafted rookie Shilo Sanders.
Buccaneers’ Preseason Performance at Safety
The Buccaneers have played two out of their three 2025 preseason outings already. So far, utilizing Pro Football Focus to compare, here’s how the three bubble candidates at safety have performed.
- Merriweather: 59 defensive snaps, 55.0 overall grade, 69.2 run defense grade, 4 total tackles, 0 missed tackles, 2 key defensive stops, 2-of-2 targets allowed in pass coverage for a total of 36 yards, 0 pass breakups, and a 118.8 passer rating against.
- Wisdom: 84 defensive snaps, 69.8 overall grade, 48.3 run defense grade, 4 total tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 key defensive stop, 0-of-1 targets allowed in pass coverage for a total of 0 yards, 1 pass breakup, and a 39.6 passer rating against.
- Sanders: 70 defensive snaps, 56.0 overall grade, 43.1 run defense grade, 3 total tackles, 3 missed tackles, 1 key defensive stop, and 1 QB hit/pressure. Sanders has not been targeted in pass coverage.
While Merriweather has been the best run defender and tackler of the trio, Wisdom has been better in pass coverage. So, Bowles will have to decide which type of player he feels he needs more on the Week 1 roster, assuming there’s only one spot available with Izien doubling as a safety.
Sanders is the fan favorite to make the team, but it seems like the rookie with Hall of Fame bloodlines is destined for a role on the practice squad. Entering the NFL as an undrafted prospect, that’s no small feat, but even without Roberts in the mix, it’s hard to envision Sanders making the Week 1 roster.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Buccaneers Rookie Breaks Silence on Season-Ending Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.