CINCINNATI, Ohio (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off the preseason Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Thursday, head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that most of the Bucs starting players will not play in the game. However, all the team’s draft picks and every available player seeking a roster spot will see valuable playing time.
Two offensive linemen will make up part of an interesting preseason storyline. First round draft pick Graham Barton will play most of the game at center, the role he has spent the entire offseason learning, while sixth round pick Elijah Klein gets time at the left guard position.
Klein was always going to be in the mix for depth on the line, but when guard Sua Opeta was lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in camp, the position battle changed. Ben Bredeson has gotten most of the first team snaps, but Klein will state his case in his first NFL game.
“Clearly, we’re in that sort of training camp mode,” Klein said. “There is a sort of pressure, along with it, because you know that, come Saturday, it’s going to be our first opportunity to go live against another team.”
Cornerback Tyrek Funderburk was not a draft pick, signed in April as a college free agent. His preseason debut is equally important, a chance to back up some big plays early in training camp.
“It’ll be super surreal,” Funderburk said. “Obviously, it’s a lifelong dream of mine – to be at this level, to play in the NFL, and it came fast. I remember getting a call back in April and now we’re already here, first preseason game, so I’m excited.”
