Randy Gregory No-Shows As Bucs Report For Camp

Outside linebacker Randy Gregory was not among the Buccaneers’ veterans who reported to the AdventHealth Training Center on Tuesday ahead of the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday, leading Tampa Bay to place him on the reserve/did not report list.

This is just the latest development in the Gregory fiasco, which seems destined to end before the 31-year-old’s Buccaneers career even began. Gregory signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay in April but failed to show up to either the voluntary OTAs or the team’s mandatory minicamp. His minicamp absence was unexcused and made him subject to a fine of more than $100,000.

Buccaneers OLB Randy Gregory – Photo courtesy of USA Today

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles As told to J.C. Allen Bowles said last week he hasn’t had any conversations with Gregory and said he expects him to be part of training camp when the veterans return to One Buck Place, but also said “we’ll see how it goes.” The Bucks’ first training camp practice is Wednesday, and assuming Gregory isn’t already there, Bowles will undoubtedly be asked about his status with the team.

Randy Gregory in June File a lawsuit against the NFL Gregory filed a lawsuit last year after alleging he was discriminated against by the league when he was fined more than $500,000 for taking medication containing THC. Gregory was reportedly taking dronabinol, a drug used to treat social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. THC is no longer on the NFL’s banned substance list, but players can still be fined if they test positive. It is not immediately clear if Gregory’s ongoing absence is related to the lawsuit.

If the newly signed outside linebacker does show up to camp, it’s easy to imagine him falling far behind Bowles’ defense. With several top contenders for a spot on the outside linebacker roster, he’ll be at a disadvantage on the team. Marquise Watts and Jose Ramirez have both earned rave reviews over the past few seasons and have both been instrumental in the Buccaneers’ defense this offseason. That means both players will be favored when it comes to the open spots behind Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon Soyinka, Anthony Nelson and rookie Chris Braswell.

So, despite seven years of NFL experience and 22 career sacks, it seems unlikely Gregory will make the 53-man roster when he eventually reports to training camp.

Besides Randy Gregory, the Buccaneers have other members in the mix for training camp.

Buccaneers TE Tanner Taula – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR

Besides placing Randy Gregory on the reserve/doesn’t report list, the Buccaneers made two other moves on Tuesday, placing quarterback Zach Annekstad and tight end Tanner Taula on the active/non-football injured list. Both players will count against the 90-man roster and can be activated at any time before rosters are cut to 53 at the end of training camp.

Annekstad signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent earlier this year after playing college basketball at Minnesota and Illinois State. He did not attend the team’s OTAs or minicamp but did take part in practices earlier this summer. The rookie is recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered during the 2023 season at Illinois State. He is currently the fourth quarterback on Tampa Bay’s roster, with starters Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask and John Wolford firmly ahead of him.

Taula, a product of Illinois State, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He spent last season on the practice squad and is a candidate for the practice squad again this year because the team has Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and rookie Devin Culp at the tight end three or four spots on the 53-man roster. The team announced Tuesday that Taula is dealing with a leg injury sustained off the football field.