The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been in New Jersey this week for their joint practice sessions with the New York Jets ahead of their first preseason game of 2026.
Things have been chippy between the two sides over the two practices, but both sides will now get the opportunity to show what they have when the lights come on Friday night.
However, the Bucs might be down their starting quarterback for the matchup, as backup quarterback Jake Browning is dealing with an injury.
Jake Browning Could Miss First Game as a Buccaneer
Browning, who was signed this offseason to back up Baker Mayfield, was slated to start against the Jets with Todd Bowles ruling Mayfield out.
However, that is now uncertain after Browning was rolled up on during the teams’ first joint practice.
The injury doesn’t seem to be too severe, with Bowles not quite ruling out the veteran backup yet, but did iterate that if Browning is not able to go, then second-year QB Connor Bazelak would get the nod to start with rookie undrafted QB Jalon Daniels also getting his first NFL action.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jake Browning (5) Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It would be wise of the Buccaneers to hold Browning out of the matchup given their backup quarterback problems of the past and to avoid further injury that could cause him to miss more time.
If the Bucs do withhold him from the game against the Jets, expect heavy doses of both Bazelak and Daniels, who are vying for the team’s third QB roster spot.
Browning’s Career Gives Bucs Better Backup Option for Mayfield
Browning went undrafted out of Washington a few years back before being signed by the Minnesota Vikings.
His stint with the Vikings didn’t last long, as he was eventually picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals, which is where he became a household name after filling in for the often-injured Joe Burrow.
Over the past three seasons with the Bengals, Browning has started 10 games, going 4-6 with a 68.5% completion percentage, 2,707 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
The numbers won’t wow anyone, but having a backup that is young with plenty of starting experience at the NFL level should give the Buccaneers confidence after years of having the likes of Kyle Trask and Teddy Bridgewater as backups.
The Buccaneers and Jets will face each other Friday night on WFLA locally in Tampa Bay at 7:00 PM EST.
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