Josiah Trotter And Rueben Bain Ruled Out For Vikings
September 25th, 2026
Out.
Two rookies the Bucs were counting heavily on to start and thrive this season won’t play Sunday.
Edge rusher Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler first-round pick, has a groin issue and has not been practicing this week. He won’t play. Same for second-round pick linebacker Josiah Trotter; he has a bad shoulder and won’t be able to answer the bell.
Who will play alongside tackling-challenged inside linebacker Alex Analzone? Enter SirVocea Dennis and newcomer veteran Christian Rozeboom, who was very limited all summer with an injury.
Bain has been so ineffective through two weeks that he won’t be missed in the lineup. Joe looks forward to second-year man David Walker getting a hearty chunk of Bain’s snaps.
Ira Kaufman Predicts The Bucs-Vikings Outcome, And More
September 25th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Next man up!!!
Just please, have a plan that fits the people w/ have on the field. Not some POS thing that leaves the Tight End open in the middle all game long….
September 25th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Why? Because you know you can’t win even with them; it gives Todd Bowls an excuse for losing…
September 25th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Christian Rozeboom still isn’t 100%
They will have to elevate Caden Fordham from the practice squad
And Fordham and Dennis will have to replace Trotter
But, the Bucs might play a injured Rozeboom instead
It’s interesting that the Bucs are 11th in Total Defense
I think this defense can get it done
My concerns are the offense
September 25th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Why? Because you know you can’t win even with them; it gives Todd Bowls an excuse for losing…this is the first time i said this …….
September 25th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
This team is kaput….no chance they win against Vikings… whole vibe with this team emits gloom and doom and it’s because the HC is not fit to lead this club.. it’s a shame that all the hype entering season was a facade… burn it down and lift it back up under a new staff…
September 25th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
That’s a wrap on the season. 0-3 guaranteed and no playoffs.
It didn’t have to be this way. Coen should be the HC since 2024 ended.
Instead they chose Todd and the results are exactly what we knew they would be.
Now you need to take a good look at the GM that built this squad as well.
A new HC should want his own GM. And his own QB as well.
Trade Baker for a bag of sweaty footballs and move on. Grab a young QB in the draft.
It’s time to clean house. Or risk another lost decade in the trash bin.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
tank for manning
hopefully we go 0-3
September 25th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Circle the drain on this season. Save Trotter, and Bain for the new coach next year. Make the current roster available for trades to aid the new GM, HC in next years draft. Good one for QBs. Baker can be the bridge QB in 27, the backup in 28, and team option gone in 29. First things first, start the search before the season ends for n ew GM, HC.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Go, Bucs offense!
September 25th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Attention doomsday posters: If there was a single game Trotter could miss where Dennis could take on his snaps this is THE one.
The Vikings have an injury decimated backfield and their RB’s aren’t used in the passing game. If that holds true Sunday Dennis should fare a lot better than he did against quality RB’s last season.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I’m sure Dennis or a broke Rozeboom can drag a guy down 5-6 yards down the field after an Abalone missed tackle just as well as anybody.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Anyone over 30 should be trade bait come when we get to the bye week or before. No need to keep this over paid and over aged players. Time to start the rebuild. It was nice while it lasted but Bye Bowles and Bye Licht.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
The less these young guys play this season, the better. Less chance for Bowles to ruin them. All of the young defenders on this team have regressed under Bowles “leadership” and “coaching”…AWJ, YaYa, Zyon, SVD, etc.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Moment of truth for our man Walker but with Tood he might start one of or practice squad guys. Tha is how crazy it has goten at One Buc. As for ILB? I hate to say it but Dennis has at least practiced and I get some weird vibes because of the mystery man Rozebooms absence in camp.
Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Anzbalony lol
Vikings will drink and dunk and take the 7 yard cushion we allow on every play.
September 25th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
all this tanking for manning bs, has anyone watched him throw the football
September 25th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
This team has been mis-managed, terribly coached and is totally f*****.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
The Texans and the Chargers are also both 0-2. Everyone chill…
September 25th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Flush Bowles Says:
The less these young guys play this season, the better. Less chance for Bowles to ruin them. All of the young defenders on this team have regressed under Bowles “leadership” and “coaching”…AWJ, YaYa, Zyon, SVD, etc.
***********
I guarantee you none of these players would set the world on fire elsewhere. One thing people overlook about Bucs draft picks is that NONE OF THEM go elsewhere and do well. NONE. I challenge anyone to find a Bucs draft pick under Licht that went to another team and succeeded. It never happens.
What Bowles has zero ability at is improving his player’s outcomes by scheming to their strengths. As an example – 3 years ago we had some of the best man to man corners in the league and played soft zones that they weren’t good with. Garbage like that happens in every position group. Even if they can play, they’re bogged down by thinking about their assignments instead of being turned loose.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Trotter and Bains don’t have to play?
Lucky . . .
September 25th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
OurYear Says:
The Texans and the Chargers are also both 0-2. Everyone chill
******
Two very different teams. The Chargers lost their DC and with it the heart of their defensive success. Harbaugh isn’t a QB whisperer and Herbert isn’t better off having him around.
The Texans figured out their problems last season and there’s no reason to think they won’t do it again this year. Being stockpiled with talent still counts for something in the NFL.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Fragile!!!!
September 25th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Boo, yay
September 25th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Thank god Walker is getting some
Snaps. Dude is going to earn his roster spot
September 25th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
LouisFriend Says:
I challenge anyone to find a Bucs draft pick under Licht that went to another team and succeeded. It never happens.
________________________________________
I guess if you ignore Mike Evans, Carlton Davis, Robert Hainsey… Licht tries pretty hard to keep his draft picks in-house if you haven’t noticed.
With that said- it’s not so much that the young defensive guys you mentioned have regressed under Bowles, it’s that they’ve regressed after getting a fat paycheck. Which IMO is even worse: Winfield, McCollum, Vea, Wirfs, and now Mayfield.
In fact you probably have to go back to Evans or Godwin to find the last time a Bucs player did NOT regress after getting a fat contract.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
ouch!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 25th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
IT’S OFFICIAL! — Just caught up with some of the Krewe and a lot of folks are boycotting. We were already going to but this cements it. Everyone commented that unless they offer free tickets, nobody’s buying anything for the time being, which makes sense. I think you’ll see some empty seats up there, until we see a head coaching change. The whole thing about the Glazers never firing during a season is baloney. If they see money bleeding, they’ll cave
September 25th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
0-3 here we come. Its a Buc Life Baby.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
OurYear Says:
September 25th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
The Texans and the Chargers are also both 0-2. Everyone chill…
______
Are you for real?
0-2 = highly unlikely to make the playoffs, and they are on the verge of 0-3.
They’ve failed after fast starts to the season… What meds are you on?
September 25th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Betting nugget of the year: Take the over on the yardage for Hockenson.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
2 games.. that’s all it took.
All those professing that rookie saviors were the answer have a lot of egg on their faces.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
louis friend-Dean is ranked 4th out of 96 by PFF, he also has 2 forced fumbles-Logan Hall already has a sack this yr. Have ths bucs as a team even forced a fumble? Hall would be leading this team in sacks. Kinda blows ur theory out of the water this is only after 2 games, not sure that’s “setting the world on fire” but its better than what we got w/ Bowles.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Can’t say I’m surprised. Trotter would be the only guy who’ll be missed.
So let’s say the Bucs lose this one, maybe/barely eek out a win against a Green Bay squad who looked like the drizzling sh*ts against Atlanta last night, then get clobbered at Dallas and wind up 1-4. Do the Glazers tell their ring around the toilet GM if he wants to have a job to start stockpiling draft picks and offload some senior citizen players like Vea, Godwin, etc. to get some cap space? Then at some point later in the season Bowles announces his “retirement”.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
It hilarious reading the few lost souls still clinging to their over the top lemming speak regarding Todd Bowles.
We tried to tell you but somehow we were shouted down as trolls.
Waiter: Mr Bowels what type of cheese on that triple bacon burger?
Todd: Usually my best decision is to go with Swiss.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
September 25th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Hopefully not another draft full of injury prone players. Seems to be the norm anymore.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Our division sucks.
Carolina started terribly last year and still won the division.
Everybody needs to calm down.
Even if we get back to 2-4. We will still have a chance to win the NFC South.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Brutal. Start Hockensen on your Fantasy teams
September 25th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
Coach em’ up Todd💪💪
September 25th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
unbelievable Says:
I guess if you ignore Mike Evans, Carlton Davis, Robert Hainsey… Licht tries pretty hard to keep his draft picks in-house if you haven’t noticed.
*****************
True. Evans is a generational talent, no denying that. Carlton was traded out, and let go by Detroit before finding a home with the Patriots. Davis and Hainsey are both serviceable but neither are what most would call good or excellent.
Regardless of the reason, the majority of in-house draft talent never reaches the success the Bucs front office claims they’ll have. And I’ll stick to my guns saying that when Bucs players leave they don’t have success elsewhere – with some exceptions.
Agreed that for whatever reason getting a 2nd contract has seen some players performance dive off a cliff. AWJ comes to mind, Vea now looks like a shell of what he was just a year ago. Brederson wasn’t a draft pick but his 2nd contract looks like a bad deal in hindsight. And on and on.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
should the Bucs lose on Sunday it would be statistically improbable to reach the postseason according to Ira – here are some equally improbable occurrences I would like to see :
1) Sean Tucker – Jalon Daniels – Anthony Nelson as starters
2) Sterling Shepard brought back as a good-luck-charm
3) Jason Licht and Todd Bowles decide to quit football and become monks in Nepal
September 25th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
So, the falcons won. The panthers are 1-1 and so are the saints. Is it possible we are the best not winless NFC S team after Sunday? Yikes! Hoping we tank for a top QB if that’s the route we are taking. Reload with a rookie contract and a QB who has a chance to be a franchise-level player. If baker doesn’t start playing better this week, it’s going to get louder, calling for him to take a seat. Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
80sBucsfan Says:
Brutal. Start Hockensen on your Fantasy teams
************
I figured he’d be a huge waiver wire pickup in fantasy this week but he’s only owned by a quarter of most leagues. I’d start him over almost anyone outside of the reliable TE1’s like LaPorta.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
can-we-get-rid-of-licht-now-please Says:
here are some equally improbable occurrences I would like to see :
1) Sean Tucker – Jalon Daniels – Anthony Nelson as starters
*************
They tried Nelson as a starter for a long stretch last season. It definitely didn’t work and he had almost nothing for stats along the way. Nelson’s fine as a backup but after 7 years everyone knows what he’s able to do.
Tucker’s sort of in the same boat. Good as a spot starter but he’s not able to create yardage or escape pursuit if the blocking isn’t there. Irving is definitely the best player in the RB room.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Stop calling him the Miami Mauler. He’s more like the Miami Mouse.
September 25th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
New season. New assistant coaches. New players.
Same result.
Baker sucks. His deep passes are embarrassing.
The team has no energy. They have no leaders.
The HC is a buffoon.
The GM is a liar.
September 25th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
No worries. At this pointg it does not matter. JUST ENJOY. I get it on fox live. Making Bc Spaghtti!!!!Whoo Hoo. They may be right or may be wrong. Old timer says glad got an NFL Team. It comes and it goes. Badn deal is no free tailgate spots. Pay to play and have fun ith the NFL experience. Win or lose should not spoil the fun. If they get worse tix will be cheap in the parking lots. BBQ will fill the air.
September 25th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
The back ups might be better.
September 25th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
The replacement will get in to the same traffic Jam in the Bowles Defense.
September 25th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Who?-ben Bain
September 25th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Where’s Pyburn? …..oh yeah, they cut him and KC picked him up….ridiculous!!!!!
September 25th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
This team goes nowhere until the atmosphere changes. Its toxic. Get rid of Licht, Bowles and Robinson. Bring in a new regime and change the whole environment. Meanwhile, dont give support to the glazers. Those morons deserve nothing for wasting this season too.
September 25th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Someone should do a wellness check on Steve V and Flormatt!
They’re missing all the fun of a Todd Bowles year five!!!!
Remember when they said 12 wins was a real possibility???
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡
September 25th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Man- the negativity amongst this group is tough to take. I’m not a Bowles fan, but we have what we have until we don’t. Looking forward to seeing what we have in David Walker and I think Winfield will show up as well – He’ll be motivated to make plays. I’m not overly worried about the defense.
Quick strikes to Godwin will be key to winning this game. Minnesota brings the blitz more than anyone we will face this year… don’t expect long developing routes to be effective. Will need lots of quick throws to Godwin and Egbuka. Bucky is going to need to run the ball effectively and he and Gainwell will have to pick up blitzers when not running the ball. Well timed Baker scrambling – not a lot – will help keep the chains moving. For the positive fans out there – we get our first W of the year and will get things rolling.
Go BUCS!
September 25th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Makes no difference. This one would be an L either way
September 25th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
It doesn’t matter who’s in there.
September 25th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
0 – 3
September 25th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
The injury excuses will not work this year. You lost to the browns at full strength so I don’t want to hear it
September 25th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Sorry to hear about Trotter being out. He’s been the only member of the D who’s consistently made plays for us. The verdict on Bain isnt in yet after only 2 games, we’re all just disappointed that he hasnt give the pass rush a spark, or made any plays at all really.
There’s a lot of vets on that defense its time for guys to step up and earn they money.
September 25th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Didn’t Bain have a shoulder injury before game 1? Maybe it hasn’t gone away yet…
September 25th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Baker has to put ‘points’ on the board, as in actual TD’s over FG’s. Getting JMac back should be a HUGE help. If not then there’s nothing else left here to say. This is a team (supposedly) ‘built for’ OFFENSE. There are NO EXCUSES.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
PalmBeach Buccaneer Says:
Quick strikes to Godwin will be key to winning this game. Minnesota brings the blitz more than anyone we will face this year…
******************
Nothing against Godwin, but he’s not the same guy as he used to be. The one guy they must get involved is Egbuka. He’s young, able and needs to lead this WR group. Godwin will not be with the team next year and is best used as the supporting piece behind Egbuka.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
@ CosmoKramer says: “ It didn’t have to be this way. Coen should be the HC since 2024 ended. Instead they chose Todd and the results are exactly what we knew they would be. Now you need to take a good look at the GM that built this squad as well.”
That’s the ‘whole thing’ about it… Even, THEY KNEW it was the obvious ‘right’ move. Remember the BIG “FREAK-OUT.” The all-out immediate meltdown and PANIC MODE, the very second they figured it out that COEN was already speaking with the JAGS (Bowles ‘knew-it’ the whole time, and just kept it to himself, too Hahah). Just WEAK AF. That decision had to have already been MADE, well before it had ever reached that point. Though, he still would’ve chosen JAX had it came down to a decision between the two… Because, of LICKT. But, it should never have happened in the first place, had this NOT been such a LAZY, WEAK, and COMFORTABLE Bucs FO and Leadership Group, who were just CONTENT with the status quo.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Gruden
September 25th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
I TOO can WRITE like MELVIN. Just arbitrarily CAPITALIZE like everything YOU SAY is IMPORTANT or SOMETHING.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
When will Vita Vea, Alex Anzalone miss a few games?
September 25th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
suspect injuries imho…?
sniffing out the beginning of some sort of soft tank maybe…?
things are getting really weird really fast…?
🙁
September 25th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Louis says no Bucs draft picks do well on other teams..NONE.
Evans looks pretty good in San Fran
Carlton Davis looks good in NE and when he was in Detroit.
White looks good in Washington
Hainsey is a very good center in Jax.
Tell me if you want me to keep going.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Tank time.
September 25th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
They don’t have to tank
Just go out there and play hard
And they will still lose
September 25th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
@ LouisFriend Says: “Even if they can play, they’re bogged down by thinking about their assignments instead of being turned loose.”
Yeah, you’d think by this point, he’d have nothing else to lose by just turning them LOOSE and allowing them to just go out there and play FREELY… Have FUN. But, he’s just way too STUCK inside of his own head.
September 25th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
.300’s.
September 25th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Just when you think things couldn’t get worse…..
September 25th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Not surprised to hear this! But let my most favorite player Trotter rest up so he can intercept more balks and score touchdowns!
Leave Bain alone let him play his position without screwing him up Boweles
September 25th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
LouisFriend Says:
Nothing against Godwin, but he’s not the same guy as he used to be. The one guy they must get involved is Egbuka. He’s young, able and needs to lead this WR group. Godwin will not be with the team next year and is best used as the supporting piece behind Egbuka.
****************************
As long Baker gets the ball out quick and isn’t throwing behind the line of scrimmage, I’ll be happy. Would like to see Egbuka step into the number one role. The last two weeks Godwin has been consistently open and he catches the ball when targets … and generates yac. But your point is valid – EE and JMac are the future.
September 25th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
EE and HURST and J-Mac are the future. However, J-Mac has to prove he can stay healthy for a full season at some point. Hurst might really be great down the road. Love his speed and height. That’s a lethal combo. Just needs to become a route-running technician and work on body control and hands. He needs to become a huge weapon in the red zone.
September 25th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
@ TampaBayRudy Says: “IT’S OFFICIAL! — Just caught up with some of the Krewe and a lot of folks are boycotting. Nobody’s buying anything for the time being, until we see a head coaching change. If they see money bleeding, they’ll cave.”
Perfect. The Rays had absolute perfect timing, with releasing those new badass Tampa Rays Grays, and those hats are SO FIRE. I’m getting one this weekend, and CAN’T WAIT. Go RAYS!!!!
September 25th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Letting backups earn their money. What a good idea! Bowles is learning. 👏
September 25th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
@ Jjuice32 – Hahahahahahhh. Lmao. A 2-WEEK sample-size, REALLY!? When, LICKT has a 13-YEAR track record. Nice try! I’ll give you a C+ for effort, though. LoL.
September 25th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
@ Stpetematt Says: “EE and HURST and J-Mac are the future.”
Then, you better be PRAYING for Jeremiah Smith (like I am), cause that group right there moving forward, is NOT good enough… At least not without an ELITE Defense, and great QB-play!!!! Because, that would be a BOTTOM 5-10 WR-group in the League, as is. 💯
September 25th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Bain out is good. Trotter too. We might win.
September 25th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Bring up Fordham he’s pretty good! GO BUCS!!!
September 25th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
@ Teacherman Says: “Even if we get back to 2-4. We will still have a chance to win the NFC South.”
Annndd!? So. Freaking. WHAT. This team is NOT ‘winning’ any Super Bowl… I mean, there is literally a ZERO perfect chance. NONE. Just DELUSIONAL. We’ll just hang onto all of our horrible contracts then, just for the helluvit… And, miss-out on all the draft-capital we could’ve added in a HISTORICALLY ‘all-time’ LOADED Draft-Class. NEVER take advantage of any ‘opportunity’ EVER. NEVER BE “SMART.” Calculating. Or, Aggressive. NEVER get any better. So, GOTCHA. Just always, stuck to the status quo, at all cost. No matter WHAT. GTFO.
September 25th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
They get to ignore the dumpsterfire Sunday.
Luckiest guys on the Team!
I’m gonna fake having a hair in my eye, and see if I can hire a backup to watch it on TV for me!
I’d have to pay them a lot, but I’m gonna mail this season in too, like Vea, Godwin, and Wirfs.
I thank God nightly, that I didn’t buy tickets to any games this season!
Guess I’m lucky too!
It’s gonna be a long season.
September 25th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
@ CosmoKramer says: “Remember when they said 12 wins was a real possibility???”
Hell, even T-KRASS while yucking-it up with Jay Recher on WDAE a couple of weeks ago, SAID possibly even up to 13-GAMES. LMAOOOOO. And, these morons right here, said the exact same thing. But, that should tell you all you need to know about T-Krass and all of these CLOWNS around here. Seriously, T-Krass will tell ‘callers’ to calm down and stop the “name-calling,” literally right after HE was just SCREAMING into the microphone for freaking 20-MINUTES STRAIGHT, after every game. And, he sat there on that day maybe, 3 or 4 weeks ago, and suggesting that “THIS TEAM” right here, could potentially WIN 13-GAMES. LoL. Just STOP. Seriously, you cannot take ANY of these people seriously. They just keep sippin’ and then pourin’ that LICKT kool-aid. While, playing it very careful, measuring their their words. It’s a JOKE. I mean, WHAT do they expect. And, to get yourself all ‘worked-up’ like that, is just so ridiculous. Cause, that’s a huge “YOU-Problem.” Ya know… It was “YOU” whom were the one, who thought THIS TEAM could win 13 freaking GAMES. If you were really being ‘serious’ about it at the time, then that’s ON YOU.
September 25th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
@ Joe Bob Pigskin Says: “Gruden.”
STOP already, cause I know you’re only trolling.
September 25th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
you think bain and trotter got the word from other players that bowles won’t be here soon, and it’s a free season to do nothing but collect a check…?
could that really be something in play…
it would be so wild it the team is just quietly waiving the white towel to start the season…especially after all that pre-season hype…
i’m not sure what’s going on – but something seems very off in thumpa bay
September 25th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
i mean let’s be serious…the team is pulling bain because he looks like an invalid out there…
he’s making their hype machine look like invalids…
it’s basically invalids pumping up invalids, in an invalid manner…
wow i’m feeling quite valid right now…
validity overrides stupidity like 8 days a week…
now i’m hoping to grab a beer at ray jay this weekend with a nifty 3 dollar bill