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J.R. Sweezy injured, Alterraun Verner starting and more Buccaneers minicamp notes

By Sander Philipse
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held their first veteran minicamp practice today, which the Bucs get because they hired a new head coach. Here are the most important takeaways from today's practice.

  • Injuries! J.R. Sweezy "had a procedure done" and will miss OTAs, according to Dirk Koetter. That's not ideal for your big-name free agency signing.
  • More injuries: Ali Marpet, Jacquies Smith, Evan Smith, Louis Murphy and Patrick Murray were all unable to participate. Jacquies Smith is recovering from shoulder surgery, Murphy is recovering from last year's ACL injury and will be out until at least training camp, and Murray is rehabbing a long-term injury as well. All of that via Greg Auman and Rick Stroud.
  • Alterraun Verner and Brent Grimes are the starting cornerbacks for now, with Johnthan Banks with the second team, per Rick Stroud. Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald were the starting safeties, per Auman. Incidentally, Auman notes that Jon Hoke is working with the cornerbacks and Brett Maxie with the safeties, though they're "secondary" and "defensive backs" coaches, respectively.
  • Jameis Winston looks good.
  • Robert Ayers at left defensive end, Howard Jones on the right, with Jacquies Smith out with injury. Per Greg Auman. Also per Auman: Josh Allen working at right guard with Ali Marpet and Evan Smith out. Jenna Laine notes that Kevin Pamphile was getting some work at left guard, though the team signed J.R. Sweezy to man that spot.
  • Asked about receivers, Dirk Koetter notes Andre Davis and Kenny Bell as guys to watch behind Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Bell is particularly interesting as the team had high hopes for him after picking him in the fifth round last year. He spent the year on injured reserve, so we'll see what he can do now.

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