Chase Edmonds hasn't made the biggest impact since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. The chances of improving upon that seem to be decreasing as the 2024 season approaches quickly.
Edmonds, who re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal back in March, has not been practicing while dealing with an undisclosed injury over the last week.
Meanwhile, rookie Bucky Irving and second year back Sean Tucker are starting to impress in camp. Irving, the Buccaneers' fourth-round pick in this year's draft , has been getting work on kick returns as well, which can only help his chances of securing a spot on the final 53-man roster. Fellow rookie Ramon Jefferson is also getting those looks in the return game while fighting for a roster spot.
Tucker was more of a question mark entering camp, as Todd Bowles said during the offseason that he needed to step up during camp. He's appeared to have done that, at least so far. He had one of the highlights of the indoor practice on Tuesday, scampering for a 20-yard touchdown.
Edmonds suffered a knee injury in Week Three that led to a trip to the injured reserve list and cost him several weeks. When he did return, the output was relatively pedestrian. For the season, he totaled 176 yards on 49 rushes with 81 yards on 14 catches.
Irving likely should end up seeing his name next to Rachaad White's on the 53-man roster, at least if this training camp is any indication so far. Whether Edmonds is also listed among them depends on a couple of things. How well Tucker plays in the preseason, and what the Bucs' roster needs are when the preseason is over. Does Jefferson (or someone else not yet on the roster) come from the back and steal a spot? Will the Bucs carry 3 or 4 running backs on the opening roster? And, of course, can Edwards get back out there and fight for a spot this preseason?
The Bucs have carried four running backs each of the last three years on the first 53-man roster, but they did go with just three during their Super Bowl-championship season of 2020.
Fortunately for Edmonds, his salary is low - with a $1.325 million base salary . As such, Edmonds makes sense financially to keep - provided he makes sense for the roster. However, roster spots are extremely valuable given how few there are, so just being cheap doesn't mean he's going to stick.
Edmonds could really serve getting back on the field and giving Bowles and his staff reason to believe the veteran is worth a roster spot, at least among the young guys if not ahead of them.
Because right now, he's not showing the most important ability of all: availability.
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