Bucs officially released RB Leonard Fournette and TE Cameron Brate.

Related Players: Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, Cade Otton

The latter may be a little more surprising than the former but they are both aging veterans who can have their production replaced rather easily. Cade Otton had a couple of small flashes with Brate sidelined last season, but we'll have to see how that translates into an offense without Tom Brady.

Saying he was “bored” not playing football, retired tight end Rob Gronkowski contacted the Bucs last month about a possible return to the team. The Bucs had several conversations with Gronkowski around Thanksgiving about him possibly reuniting with quarterback Tom Brady to help the struggling squad secure a playoff berth.

Related Players: Cade Otton, Cameron Brate

Even if he were to return, it is very unlikely it would have an impact on typical redraft leagues, but what a crazy wrench it would throw into playoff-only leagues. Gronk went 8-110-2 in the 2020 postseason and followed it up with a 9-116-1 performance in two 2021 postseason games.

Todd Bowles says Antoine Winfield will miss Sunday’s game, as will Cam Brate, Russell Gage, and Luke Goedeke.

Related Players: Cade Otton

Though Cade Otton’s end result in Week 8 was nothing to get excited about (2.5 half-PPR points, 15 yards), the fact is, he is still getting incredible usage. Otton’s 44 routes run were the second-most of any tight end in the league last week, and this comes on the heels of a 37-route (third-highest) performance in the week prior. He should be considered a fringe TE1/TE2 option, even in a difficult matchup against the Rams.

Todd Bowles rules out four players for Sunday at Carolina: DL Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, TE Cam Brate, and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Related Players: Cade Otton

Cade Otton had the full TE1 role back in Week 5 and delivered acceptable results, finishing as the TE14, running a route at the third-highest rate (94.2%) amongst tight ends, and racking up seven targets. The team’s Week 7 implied total sits at 25.5, the fifth-highest mark of the slate, which provides some touchdown equity for Otton, who had two red zone targets in his lone start of the season.

Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate, who left the field on a backboard yesterday, went home on the team flight, was in good spirits, and had all of his follow-up scans negative. He’ll be monitored, but as it pertains to his neck, this is good news.

Related Players: Cade Otton

After Brate's recent history with neck/head injuries, it would be safe to assume that he will not be suiting up for Week 7. This would open the door for rookie fourth-rounder Cade Otton, who has ten targets across the last two games.

Bucs ruled out TE Cameron Brate for Sunday’s game against Atlanta due to the concussion he suffered last Sunday night vs. the Chiefs.

Related Players: Cade Otton

Rookie Cade Otton should be in line to receive much of the tight end looks, after running a season-high 29 routes with Brate's departure in Week 4. He is worth a look in DFS main-slate lineups.

Bucs are back at practice. No sign of Cameron Brate (concussion) or Logan Ryan (foot). But Carlton Davis, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman are all practicing. Looks like Julio Jones will practice today as well.

Related players: Cade Otton

Good news Godwin seems ready to go after returning last week to the lineup after a hamstring injury shut him down in Week 1. Godwin's role should get back to normal. As for Brate, if he can't go Otton is up next and is a player the team is high on from back in camp. Those in deeper or dynasty leagues who need help, or some longer term potential, should check to see if Otton is on the wire.

Tampa Bay made it official, signing the former Vikings and Giants tight end to a one-year deal. Heading into his 12th NFL season at the ripe age of 33, Kyle Rudolph will have an uphill battle to be a focal point of an offense for the first time since 2018.

Related Players: Cameron Brate, Cade Otton

Between the loss of Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard, the team was in a spot to replace over 1,000 snaps at the position heading into the season, so the signing of a veteran comes as no surprise. With Rudolph as more of an in-line blocker —particularly at this point in his career— Cameron Brate should still have plenty of the pass-catching role in 2022.