The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't need to wait until the 4:00 pm ET deadline on Tuesday to make decisions about who they would cut and keep on their initial 53-man roster. As of Monday evening, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports, the Bucs reportedly made their final set of cuts, which reduced their roster down to the limit of 53.  

Those cuts unfortunately saw a promising player have to turn in his playbook, who had made quite the name for himself in training camp and in the preseason.  WR Cody Thompson's name wasn't among the list of wide receivers on the 53-man roster. 

Although the team has yet to make the formal announcement, here's the remaining roster after the completion of cuts: 

Quarterbacks (2): Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask

As expected.  John Wolford should end up on the practice squad shortly. 

Running backs (3): Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker

With Chase Edmonds going on injured reserve, this was as easy as it gets. 

Wide receivers (5): Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Kameron Johnson

Thompson played like a guy who should be on the 53.  Surely a practice squad spot is coming – unless his strong play in the preseason caught the attention of another team and he gets claimed.  The rest seemed pretty chalky. 

Tight ends (4): Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Devin Culp, Ko Kieft

Kieft could potentially have been a casualty, but the Bucs stuck with four tight ends.  Kieft's physicality makes sense to help with the run game. 

Offensive line (9): Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke, Robert Hainsey, Justin Skule, Elijah Klein, Brandon Walton

No surprises here.  The right group made the roster.  

Defensive line (6): Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, Will Gholston, Greg Gaines, Earnest Brown

Perhaps one bit of a small surprise here, with Brown getting the nod over C.J. Brewer for the last spot.  However, Brown made a good late case against Miami with a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown and eventually overturned, posting a 72.6 PFF grade for the game.  Apparently, his performance was just enough to edge Brewer out. 

Outside linebackers (6): Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, Markees Watts, Jose Ramirez

The Bucs ended up going with six edge rushers, which makes sense given the injury issues, albeit minor ones, the starters have been dealing with.  

Inside linebackers (4): Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, J.J. Russell

This one was pretty easy.  Russell earned his spot with a solid preseason.  No reason to carry five here. 

Defensive backs (11): Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Antoine Winfield, Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Bryce Hall, Christian Izien, Tykee Smith, Tyrek Thunderburk, Tavierre Thomas, Kaevon Merriweather, Josh Hayes

11 is on the heavy side at defensive back, but if they were giving roster spots to players who deserved it, they certainly did, as the competition was fierce and a number of players stood out.  Undrafted free agent Tyrek Thunderburk earned his spot with a strong camp.  

Specialists (3): Chase McLaughlin, Jake Camarda, Evan Deckers

The only story here is Deckers beating out incumbent long snapper Zach Triner.  Camarda could be facing further competition if he remains in Todd Bowles' doghouse. 

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