The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a setback in their roster battles as linebacker Christian Rozeboom and cornerback Josh Hayes did not participate in the team's preseason opener against the New York Jets. Head coach Todd Bowles described their conditions as 'banged up' but did not specify a timeline for their return.
Rozeboom, who signed a one-year contract after starting 15 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2025, is in competition for a starting position. However, he was one of three linebackers who did not play in the opener, which is significant given his need to secure a spot on the roster.
Fellow linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is seen as a locked-in starter after signing a two-year, $17 million deal, and SirVocea Dennis, who has been a consistent performer, also sat out the game. Rookie Josiah Trotter played well, positioning himself as a contender for a starting role.
Hayes, a sixth-round pick in 2023, has struggled for playing time, logging only 294 defensive snaps in three seasons. His primary value to the team lies in special teams, but missing preseason opportunities could hinder his chances of proving himself on defense.
Competing against him are rookies Ayden Garnes and Pepe Williams, both of whom performed well in the opener and could threaten Hayes's position on the roster.
