The Bucs have elevated two practice squad players for the 2025 season opener versus the Falcons in Atlanta.
Tampa Bay elevated defensive tackle Adam Gotsis and offensive tackle Michael Jordan for Sunday’s game against the division rival Falcons. Both players are newcomers for the Buccaneers.
Bucs Need Depth At DT, OT For Season Opener
The Bucs need some depth along the offensive and defensive line for their 2025 season opener. With All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs out as he continues to recover from knee surgery this summer, swing tackle Charlie Heck will be filling in with the starting lineup. Rookie Ben Chukwuma, an undrafted free agent, is the swing tackle now, but the Bucs need some additional help along the offensive line. So veteran newcomer Michael Jordan gets called up from the practice squad.
Jordan (6-6, 312) has appeared in 67 career games, including 40 starts, between the Cincinnati Bengals (2019–20), Carolina Panthers (2021–22) and New England Patriots (2024). He originally entered the league as a fourth-round selection (No. 136 overall) by the Bengals in the 2019 NFL Draft. Jordan played collegiately at The Ohio State University (2016–18), where he started 41 consecutive games across three seasons, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017.
He helped anchor an Ohio State offensive line that led the Big Ten in scoring and total offense in each of his three seasons. The Canton, Michigan, native wears No. 60 for Tampa Bay.
Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
With Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a sore foot, the Bucs are not leaving anything to chance. Veteran Adam Gotsis gets elevated from the practice squad just in case Vea can’t go on Sunday or is on a limited pitch count. Vea did practice on Friday and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said he’s hopeful that he can play in the 2025 season opener.
Gotsis (6-4, 290) has appeared in 126 career games between the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, making 54 starts and amassing 223 tackles (25 for loss), 42 quarterback hits, 22 passes defensed, 10.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick (No. 63 overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Melbourne, Australia, native played collegiately at Georgia Tech (2012–15), appearing in 48 career games and logging 110 tackles, 12.5 sacks, five passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He wears No. 97 for Tampa Bay.