Bucs Cut Roster to Final 53 Before Deadline

General manager Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have worked hard all season to put together the best 53-man roster to defend their three consecutive NFC South titles.

That process has to be completed before 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

But with everything he's seen over the summer and the three preseason games, Licht made his initial decisions early, as the Bucs have already reduced their 90-man offseason roster earlier in the day.

Maybe one of the biggest surprises on the offensive side of the ball was that former New York Giants wideout Sterling Shepard didn't make the final 53. He joined the Bucs as a training camp invite initiated by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was Shepard's college teammate at the University of Oklahoma.

Shepard dealt with injuries since joining the Bucs and couldn't play in any of the preseason contests.

Another roster cut casualty was wideout Cody Thompson, who played well enough to earn a spot on the final 53, but with so much depth at the position in Tampa Bay, someone was going to be the odd man out, and this time it was Thompson. The former Toledo Rocket should have no trouble catching on with a team with less depth, perhaps a team like the Dallas Cowboys.

Third-string quarterback John Wolford was also released but is expected to clear waivers and return to the team on the practice squad, meaning Kyle Trask will back up Mayfield once again this season.

Another anomaly is the Bucs keeping four tight ends - which isn't really what they did. Cade Otton is your starter, with Payne Durham and Devin Culp playing rotationally. The so-called fourth tight end, Ko Kieft, will be utilized primarily on special teams.

On the defensive side of the ball, there were fewer surprises.

Related: What Did Bucs Preseason Show as Key Fantasy Football Insights?

C.J. Brewer is a cut casualty on the defensive line, while the team elected to keep six outside linebackers. Florida State standout Kalden DeLoach dealt with an injury this offseason that limited his playing time and it cost him. He could be invited back to the practice squad after he heals.

Licht and the Bucs boast an incredible number of home-grown players on the final 53-man roster, with 44 of the 53 players being either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents by Tampa Bay.

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