The first week of Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp has already drawn a clear line between players building momentum and players trying to stop the slide. A few names have popped early, and a couple others are already feeling the heat as roster battles tighten up.
Tez Johnson has been the loudest offensive story so far. He’s turned heads with explosive plays and touchdowns, and the Buccaneers even highlighted one of his backflips on July 30, 2026. In a crowded wide receiver room, Johnson needs every strong rep he can get, and through the opening stretch of camp he’s done more than just hold his own - he’s been the standout.
Ted Hurst has also wasted no time making an impression. In his first training camp practice, he caught a touchdown and later added another big gain. That kind of burst is exactly what made him such an intriguing college receiver, and Tampa Bay is already seeing that skill show up in a hurry.
On the defensive side, David Walker is looking like a player who never lost his edge. After a season-ending injury wiped out his rookie year before it started, he’s back healthy and making noise again.
Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon noted that Walker has recorded a sack in four straight training camp practices, and he’s been living in the backfield. For a pass rush group that could be the most disruptive Tampa Bay has had in years, that matters.
Jake Browning is another player quietly stacking good days. He’s been connecting repeatedly with Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson on downfield plays, and that production has come at a useful time. With undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels pushing the backup quarterback battle and Jason Licht saying the job would be open, Browning has been working to lock down his spot.
Not everyone has had that kind of start. Ben Morrison’s issue hasn’t been what he’s done on the field so much as what he hasn’t been able to do.
He missed the first few days of practice before returning on Saturday, and Todd Bowles said he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. It’s a frustrating repeat of last year’s offseason, when nagging injuries kept him out and he eventually missed seven regular-season games.
Morrison is battling Jacob Parrish for the starting outside cornerback job, but the missed time has already cost him valuable reps.
Josh Hayes is also in a tough spot. Several of Tez Johnson’s big plays have come with Hayes as the defender in coverage, and Slivon reported that Hayes has been beaten more than any other Bucs cornerback during camp. Hayes has leaned on special teams to keep his place, but with Demarion Williams and undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes making noise, his margin for error is shrinking fast.
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