Not good for Bucs: Rookie guard Cody Mauch is not practicing today after missing Thursday with a back injury. Likely Nick Leverett stepping in at right guard in Minnesota.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 8, 2023
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be short-handed on the offensive line Sunday.
The team is set to face off against the Minnesota Vikings for its season opener, but offensive guard Cody Mauch may not be making his NFL debut as a Buccaneer. FOX Sports’ Greg Auman reported Friday that Mauch isn’t participating at practice due to a back injury, which makes it the second day in a row he’s been injured. Given the timeline, it’s unlikely that he’ll play in Tampa Bay’s season opener, but head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday that he is still a game-time decision.
If Mauch is out, the Bucs have two options for his replacement. The team could go with Nick Leverett, who played guard last year in lieu of current right tackle Luke Goedeke, or Aaron Stinnie, who played guard for Tampa Bay during their Super Bowl run but was injured all of last year with a torn ACL.
Whatever the solution, the team’s road to victory in Minnesota might be getting a little bit harder.
