Departing linebacker J.J. Russell may not be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer anymore, but he certainly made a name for himself wearing red and pewter during the preseason.
Pro Football Focus released their All-Preseason team, and Russell was named one of two LBs along with Malcolm Rodriguez of the Detroit Lions. Russell finished the preseason with a 90.5 overall grade, one of the highest players PFF graded during the three-game stretch, but he did not make the Bucs’ final 53-man roster.
Russell is a potential practice squad candidate for Tampa Bay, as that’s the capacity he mostly served in last year. He was signed to the active roster at three different times during his rookie season in 2022 and made his rookie debut in the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens, playing 26 snaps. It’s very likely the Bucs would want him back on the active roster, but it may be more difficult to keep him this time around with his stellar performance in preseason.
