Diaby sustained a high-ankle sprain during practice Thursday and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. It looked like Diaby had sustained a serious injury Thursday after he was unable to put any weight on his leg and was carted off the field. Luckily, X-rays came back negative, though it appears that the 2023 third-round pick is in jeopardy of missing the regular-season opener against the Commanders on Sept. 9. Diaby is coming off a strong rookie campaign in which he registered 38 tackles (25 solo), including 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries across 17 regular-season games. With Randy Gregory yet to report to training camp, Chris Braswell, Anthony Nelson and Markees Watts will have increased reps in practice and preseason games, and they could be competing for the second starting outside linebacker job opposite Joe Tryon-Shoyinka if Diaby were to be sidelined for the start of the regular season.
Whitehead is nursing a quadriceps injury Thursday, but should be back to practice in a couple of days, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports. The injury doesn't sound serious for Whitehead, who returned to Tampa Bay this offseason after a two-year stop with the Jets. The 27-year-old is expected to start next to Antoine Winfield at safety this season.
Diaby suffered an ankle injury during practice Thursday and was carted off the field, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. Diaby was unable to put weight on his leg, according to Auman, but fortunately, his X-rays came back normal, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The second-year-pro will still have to undergo an MRI later Thursday, so he's not fully out of the woods yet. If the injury is of any significance it'll be a fairly tough blow to the Bucs defense, with Diaby expected to have a starting role in the team's linebacker unit coming off a strong rookie campaign.
Wirfs and the Buccaneers agreed Thursday on a five-year, $140.63 million contract extension, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. Wirfs' extension includes $88.24 million guaranteed, the most for an offensive tackle in NFL history. The 25-year-old has certainly proven to be one of the league's top left tackles over his first four NFL seasons, earning three Pro Bowl nods as well as first- and second-team All-Pro selections in 2021 and 2022. Wirfs had been set to play the 2024 season under the $18.24 million fifth-year option on his rookie deal, but the long-term deal now keeps him on Tampa Bay's books through the 2029 campaign.
McMillan has been thriving throughout training camp and has drawn attention for his work ethic and attention to detail, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports. The rookie third-round pick has drawn praise from head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield, with the former singling out McMillan's intelligence and hunger for improvement while adding that "the receiving group loves him." The Washington product, who missed four games for the Huskies in 2023 due to a knee injury but was a 1,000-yard receiver the season prior, is capable of stretching the field and gaining separation but has also proven adept on choice and option routes. For his part, Mayfield has stated he's already learning that McMillan is also proficient in contested-catch situations, noting "he's going to make plays when the ball is in the air, and that's one thing I'm continuing to learn -- really, just give him a chance."
Greene (calf) was seen participating in Sunday's practice session, Christopher O'Meara of the Citizen Tribune reports. Greene sat out for the Bucs' final nine games of the 2023 season -- including two playoff contests -- due to a calf injury he sustained during practice leading up to Week 12 against the Colts. It appears he's fully recovered from the injury, and he is battling for a depth spot at defensive end behind starters Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall. Across his 10 outings last season, Greene recorded six tackles (two solo) while playing 162 snaps on defense and 38 snaps on special teams.
Opeta tore his ACL during Tuesday's camp session, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Opeta came to Tampa Bay earlier in the offseason with hopes of winning the Buccaneers' starting left guard spot, but he won't get the opportunity after tearing his ACL on Tuesday. With Opeta expected to miss the entirety of the Buccaneers' 2024 campaign, Ben Bredeson will likely get the starting nod.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said that Opeta sustained a knee injury during practice Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. Bowles did not disclose the severity of Opeta's injury, so it's unclear how long he'll be sidelined moving forward. When healthy, the 28-year-old is expected to compete for a starting role, or at least a primary reserve spot, on Tampa Bay's offensive line.