Buccaneers place kicker Ryan Succop on Reserve/COVID-19 list and waive offensive tackle

It was revealed Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrable tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped their weeklong festivities with their preseason opponents.

On Monday, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians told media there were, “No problems whatsoever,” stemming from the news and while it may not be a direct correlation, there is a problem now.

Tuesday, Tampa Bay placed kicker Ryan Succop on the Reserve/COVID-19 list meaning he will be unable to practice and will not participate in the team’s ‘dress rehearsal’ this weekend against the Houston Texans.

Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud tweeted a video of Arians discussing the news, stating the positive test follows Succop dining with friends on the Titans roster following the joint practices last week.

Succop spent six seasons with the Titans from 2014 to 2019 and went 1-for-6 in that final year leading to his being available for the Bucs to bring in as competition for kicker, Matt Gay.

Of course, the veteran beat out the young kicker with the cannon leg who got fans excited just one year prior but directly contributed to some heart-breaking losses during the 2019 campaign.

The result was a record-setting year for Succop and of course, a Super Bowl title.

Now, the defending champs will be without their guy for what is widely considered the most important preseason game as the starters play more in this upcoming game than any others.

Taking his place will be rookie Jose Borregales who has yet to try a field goal in the preseason while assuming kickoff duties on three occasions.

The good news from a football standpoint is it appears to be isolated to just Succop at this point, and there’s plenty of time for him to clear protocols and return before kicking off the season against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

Along with this move the Bucs also announced they waived (injured) offensive tackle Chidi Okeke, a move necessary to accommodate the addition of Jonathan Hubbard at the same position.

Running back Troymaine Pope was also placed on injured reserve, after clearing waivers, on Tuesday.

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