The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be a much stronger team in 2024 when it comes to running the football. The continued development of Rachaad White alongside the very impressive showing that Bucky Irving has put on display, the roster crunch could leave other running backs out to dry.
Tampa Bay seems ready to keep White as the starting running back, Irving as the backup, and former Syracuse star Sean Tucker on the 53-man roster as a tertiary piece. This is bad news for a veteran Tampa added to bring some versatility to their backfield last season.
Chase Edmonds, who was trying to get back on track after his Arizona Cardinals career ended unceremoniously and he failed to take off with either the Dolphins or Broncos. The latest roster musings from Greg Auman don't exactly paint a very encouraging picture.
Auman believes that Edmonds is firmly on the bubble, implying it is far from a sure thing that Tampa Bay will keep four running backs on the roster. If Edmonds is unable to make the Buccaneer backfield, it might be tough for a veteran back approaching the dreaded 30 years old tag to find gainful employment in the NFL.
I'd say Chase Edmonds is one of the bigger names on the bubble for Bucs. Hasn't been able to practice or play for weeks. So White, Irving, Tucker seem locks now for the 53, and question is whether they keep Edmonds as a fourth back. We don't know how injury impacts his season. https://t.co/ghLOB6plLt
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 20, 2024
Chase Edmonds could be cut from Buccaneers 53-man roster
After four years as a solid change of pace back in Arizona, the Fordham alum bounced around unsuccessfully between Miami and Denver. Tampa may have given him an opportunity to prove himself, but he didn't exactly run with it (no pun intended).
The semi-valuable trade chip managed just 257 yards from scrimmage and never found the end zone. He was never able to supplant White as the team's starter despite the Arizona State product's 3.6 yards per carry, nor was he good enough to deter them from drafting Irving.
The true battle here, unless Tampa decides to go in a different direction and keep four running backs, will be between Edmonds and Tucker. If Todd Bowles is really going to decide between one of these two backs for the final spot, it might make sense to roll with the younger player over someone who is on the downside in Edmonds.
Roster cut day is always tough, but it could be especially brutal for veterans who may not have the spark needed to last on a professional roster. If Edmonds is unable to beat out Tucker, this could very well be the end of his NFL career.