Bucs place-kicking derby coming down to wire, Todd Bowles says
TAMPA — If the Bucs have decided on a place-kicker for 2022, they’re not revealing their choice until after Saturday’s preseason finale in Indianapolis.
“It’s going to come down to the last week,” coach Todd Bowles said after Tuesday’s indoor workout. “And we’ll make that decision after that.”
Incumbent Ryan Succop and 2020 Groza Award winner Jose Borregales have alternated live kicking sessions in both practices and games throughout the preseason. Borregales, protected by the Bucs on the practice squad for all of 2021, nailed a 55-yard field goal in the preseason opener against Miami but just missed a 49-yarder on the final play of the Bucs’ 26-24 loss.
Succop, who turns 36 next month, answered with a 52-yard field goal in Saturday’s 13-3 loss at Tennessee. Though he attempted only one field goal of longer than 55 yards last season (a missed 55-yarder at New England), he’s 52-for-58 on tries inside 50 yards during his two-season Bucs tenure. He also hit a 52-yarder in Super Bowl 55.
On Tuesday, Borregales participated in the live special-teams session while Succop appeared to have a veteran’s day off.
No worries about Wirfs
Right tackle Tristan Wirfs remained sidelined Tuesday with an oblique strain sustained last week, but Bowles said he’s not concerned about the third-year All-Pro’s availability for the Sept. 11 season opener in Dallas.
“Right now, no,” Bowles said. “I hear he’s on schedule, so we’ll just take it day by day. But I don’t think (he’ll miss the game).”
Elsewhere, safety Keanu Neal, who suffered an apparent arm injury last week, appeared to participate on a limited basis at Tuesday’s indoor workout. Bowles said Neal is progressing nicely and “should be” ready for the Sept. 11 opener.
Also participating for the second day in a row was receiver Breshad Perriman, who missed roughly three weeks with an apparent leg injury; and veteran receiver Mike Evans, out more than two weeks with a sore hamstring.
Those still sidelined included receiver Russell Gage (hamstring), running back Giovani Bernard (ankle), inside linebacker Grant Stuard (hamstring) and rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum (hamstring).
Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.
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