Former Buccaneers linebacker J.J. Russell suffered a serious injury on the second day of training camp with his new team, the Arizona Cardinals.
Following a collision with a teammate, Russell remained down with an apparent head and neck injury. Practice was called off early, and he was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Russell originally signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2022. He spent three seasons with the Buccaneers as a backup and special teams contributor, frequently moving between the practice squad and active roster.
Last season, a rash of injuries at linebacker led to Russell starting three games and appearing in a career-high 16 games.
The Cardinals signed him this offseason to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, hoping to bolster their linebacker depth and add a proven special teams asset.
Update on J.J .Russell: All tests were negative, he has been released from the hospital and has re-joined the team at training camp. https://t.co/6VocyJaHNR
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 25, 2025
Luckily, Russell seems to have recovered quickly after the brief scare, as per the team, he was released from the hospital and cleared to return to training camp after a brief scare.
Now, he can return his focus to earning a roster spot and carving out a role with his new squad.
The Buccaneers host the Cardinals in Week 13, where Russell could have a chance to show Tampa Bay what they’re missing after letting him walk this offseason.