The Bucs are having rookie mini-camp coming up on Friday and Saturday, but they’ll also be joined by a couple of veteran players attempting to make the team. According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Tampa Bay has invited running back Owen Wright and safety Gervarrius Owens to the practices this weekend.
One cool note on RB Owen Wright, headed to Bucs rookie minicamp as a veteran tryout player — his grandfather, Brig Owens, had 36 INTs with Washington from 1966-77. 686 yards on INT returns, including three TDs, also returned two fumbles for scores.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 6, 2025
Another veteran tryout player at Bucs rookie minicamp is safety Gervarrius Owens — Giants seventh-rounder in 2023, played in 5 games in 2 years, last with Titans. One tackle, fumble recovery. Played for Bucs STC Thomas McGaughey in 2023, so special-teams familiarity helps.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 6, 2025
History Of Newly Signed Bucs
Wright played college football at William & Mary and then Monmouth College. He signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played in one game that season on special teams and than ended up on season ending injured reserve the following year. In his last year at school, Wright was first team All-CAA as he averaged 4.2 rushing yards per attempt and scored 16 touchdowns.
Owens was on Northeast Oklahoma A&M for one season and then transferred to Houston, where he was teammates with Bucs defensive tackle Logan Hall. He made 142 career tackles at Houston with four interceptions, including a pick-six.
Owens was drafted in the seventh by the New York Giants in the 2023 NFL Draft. He played in three games that season recording one tackle and a fumble recovery. After getting waived by the Giants the next season, Owens signed with the Titans and played in two games. What will help Owens is that he played for Bucs’ special teams coach Thomas McGaughey during his time with the Giants.
Bucs ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
McGaughey is going into his second year as Tampa Bay’s special teams coach and he may favor somebody that he has familiarity with to get some opportunities.
It’ll take a long shot for these players to make the Bucs, but all players need is a chance and they could play their way into a training camp invite. Each position that Wright and Owens are playing are spots where the Bucs may have some openings on the practice squad.