Key Bucs starter is dealing with a different injury that could cause him to miss the Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons
Cade Otton has dealt with a hamstring in training camp and now he’s dealing with a new undisclosed leg injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is coming off a career year in 2024 and is looking to double down with another as he enters the final year of his contract.
Things haven’t been going so well for the soon-to-be fourth-year tight end since training camp started, however. A hamstring injury knocked him out early on and caused him to miss action all the way up until Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He returned to action that week and was able to log 17 snaps in Pittsburgh, but found himself back on the sidelines soon afterward.
Otton hasn’t practiced the last two days, which prompted questions about his health. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked about his status after Wednesday’s practice and revealed not only is Otton dealing with a different injury – it could cause him to miss the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
“No, he’s sore,” Bowles told reporters. “I mean, he’s got another leg injury in addition to that, so he’ll be out a little bit. [We] won’t know until next week (if he can play against the Falcons).”
Otton’s injury is another potential hit to the Buccaneers’ passing attack
As we know, the Bucs are already dealing with injuries to Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs and both former Pro Bowlers likely won’t play in Week 1 against the Falcons. If Otton can’t go, Baker Mayfield will be without two of the Top-4 options in the Buccaneers’ passing attack.
Otton is a very solid player who is both a good receiver and blocker. He’s your traditional “Y” tight end, meaning he sets up on the line of scrimmage the vast majority of the time and is utilized in passing and run/pass blocking. He’s not on the same level as a George Kittle, for instance, but he’s certainly in the conversation when it comes to the tight ends in the upper-half of the league.
Another strong year could vault Otton into Top-10 status, depending on how effective he is. That’s why the injury news is so unfortunate for him. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after this year, so every snap will count more than ever before.
But first and foremost, he needs to get healthy. We’ll start finding out how that comes to fruition next week.
Payne Durham and Devin Culp will take the reigns if Otton can’t play against the Falcons
Otton missed the last two games of the 2024 season, which allowed Durham and Culp to see some extended action. Both players stepped up in their own regard, too, combining for nine catches, 140 yards, and two receiving touchdowns on 11 targets.
Both players have their own unique skill set, which is a plus. Like Otton, Durham is more of traditional “Y” tight end, whereas Culp is more of a receiver in a tight end’s body. He still has work to do as a blocker and receiver, but he’s unafraid of sticking his nose in a scrum in order to move people around. He’s also a deadly mismatch down the seam and is capable of breaking a big play at any moment thanks to his 4.4 speed.
If Otton doesn’t go, it’s definitely not ideal, but the Bucs have two guys that can help keep the ship afloat until his return.
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