Tuesday was a big day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as training camp officially opened and the final phase of the offseason is underway. Rookies reported on Monday with veterans showing up a day later, but the Bucs are still waiting on at least one player to report and it doesn't sound like a situation that's going to end well.
Randy Gregory signed a one-year deal with the Bucs back in April, and that's really the last time anyone has heard from him. He skipped mandatory minicamp back in June and wasn't among the group of players showing up for training camp this week.
Tristan Wirfs, who is holding out for a new contract, showed up and reported with his fellow veterans, but Gregory — and the reason he's missing — remains nothing more than a rumor in Tampa Bay.
Randy Gregory is a no-show at Buccaneers training camp
Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud noted that Gregory hasn't reported to training camp and the team doesn't know when -- or if -- he ever will. It's yet another bizarre layer to an already puzzling situation.
No holdout, although maybe a hold in, for #Bucs T Tristan Wirfs, who will report to training camp with the team’s other veterans today. As for edge rusher Randy Gregory, who missed the offseason workout program and mandatory minicamp, they really don’t know. Stay tuned.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) July 23, 2024
Nobody knows for certain why Gregory hasn't shown up yet. He is currently suing the NFL and the Denver Broncos over money he lost while serving a suspension for violating the league's drug policy. Gregory, through his attorney, claims that he told the Broncos he needs medical marijuana tor treat his anxiety but was still suspended by the league when he failed a test.
That's not the Bucs' problem, though.
He sued the league after signing his deal with Tampa Bay and it was speculated that's the reason he's refusing to report. Then again, nobody has heard anything from Gregory so it's all hearsay until proven otherwise.
Just as unclear as Gregory's status is how much longer the Bucs are going to put up with this. At some point push comes to shove, and if a player isn't going to report to the team that signed him action must be taken. The Bucs have only spoken briefly about Gregory, with Todd Bowles saying during minicamp that his absence wasn't excused and it would be handled.
So far nothing has come of anything, but with training camp officially starting it feels like the clock is ticking on Gregory's time in Tampa Bay.
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