Can’t Miss What You’ve Never Experienced

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to release outside linebacker Randy Gregory. Head coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation on Sunday, revealing he was never informed why Gregory failed to show up for training camp.

“I’ll never find out, but I wish him the best and we’ll move on from there,” Bowles commented. “Can’t miss what you never had.”

Gregory did not attend training camp and missed two preseason games after he filed a lawsuit against both the NFL and the Denver Broncos in June. The lawsuit alleges that the league and the team discriminated against him by denying his request to use dronabinol, a medication prescribed by his doctor to help manage symptoms of social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress. This decision led to Gregory facing fines totaling $500,000.

On July 23, the Buccaneers placed Gregory on the reserve/did not report list. He had previously signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers worth $3 million, which included the potential for an additional $2 million in incentives. To date, Gregory has missed a total of three mandatory minicamp sessions, 27 days of training camp, and two preseason matchups.

While the team grapples with the absence of Gregory, they are also managing injuries to other players. Starter YaYa Diaby is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to be ready until the start of the regular season. Meanwhile, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka recently dealt with shoulder and neck issues but has returned to practice.

Despite these setbacks, Bowles expressed confidence in the depth of the outside linebacker position. He noted that players like Jose Ramirez and Markees Watts have stepped up in recent games, with Ramirez managing to achieve three sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a recent contest.

“The outside backer position on defense probably has the most depth out of any position over there, so we’re very comfortable with the guys we have that are playing and those backing them up currently,” Bowles stated. “We also have several players who could earn a spot on the team.”

The release of Gregory marks a significant moment for the Buccaneers as they continue to prepare for the upcoming season. The team’s ability to adapt to player absences will be crucial as they work towards finalizing their roster and establishing a strong defense.