Bucs after Dark: Tampa Bay Buccaneers silent on Kendell Beckwith

Almost a year since his accident, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kendell Beckwith has still not recovered from his broken ankle.

With their third round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers invested a valuable asset in linebacker out of Louisiana State University, Kendell Beckwith. Immediately making an impact for the team as a rookie, Beckwith started 11 games at the second level with Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David.

Beckwith finished his rookie campaign with 73 tackles, one sack, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. After the 2017 season, the linebacking core for the Buccaneers looked like it was set for the future.

Last April, Beckwith suffered a broken ankle after a car accident where he was the passenger and missed the entire 2018 season, putting a damper on his development and keeping him from building off of a strong rookie season. While many fans expected Beckwith back at full strength in 2019, the 24-year-old linebacker’s future looks uncertain.

More from The Pewter Plank

• Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
• ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
• Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
• Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
• The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023

During his media appearance at the combine at the end of February, general manager Jason Licht was asked about the future of the young linebacker, and to the surprise and shock to many, Licht responded with a bleak “We will know more in a month.” About a month since these comments, the Buccaneers have yet to release any information regarding the recovery of Beckwith.

Bucs fans should be concerned about this as turn of events, first and foremost for Beckwith’s health, and secondly, Tampa Bay could be down two starting linebackers in a matter of weeks after Alexander bolted for San Francisco. Beckwith himself has been silent on the issue as well, including no activity on social media.

Signing Deone Bucannon last week looks much better with the uncertainty of Beckwith still hanging over the organization’s head, but realistically, Licht may have to locate another linebacker in free agency, or seek to draft more than one in the upcoming draft.

While we all wish the best for Beckwith and his recovery, it is bordering on a time for the Buccaneers to look for solutions to this issue as free agency is well underway and the draft is a month away. Entering a make-or-break year in 2019, the Buccaneers could use the services of Beckwith and hope to see him in the pewter helmet this season.