Buccaneers Sign ‘Dependable’ Prospect to Replace Recent Injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in another undrafted rookie in place of safety J.J. Roberts — who suffered a season-ending injury before the second preseason game — signing former Tennessee Volunteers DB Will Brooks.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud relayed the news on August 18, as Brooks will directly replace Roberts on the 91-man preseason roster.

“Smart, veteran and dependable safety who rounded out his five-year career with the program in 2024,” the Tennessee football website wrote to describe Brooks as a player. Later, they noted that he enjoyed a breakout season in 2024.

In 13 games played last year, Brooks recorded 59 total tackles, including 4 for a loss. He snagged an impressive 4 interceptions, while also breaking up 9 passes and forcing 1 fumble.

In addition to Brooks’ defensive impact, the Vols’ website states that he “previously served as a prominent contributor on special teams coverage.” Plus, he’s a “three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll who wore the SEC Graduate patch after earning his undergraduate degree in finance in May 2024.”

Brooks made 14 starts for Tennessee throughout his collegiate career, working his way up the ladder from reserve status to starter.

New Buccaneers Signing Will Brooks Will Join the Safety Conversation During the Preseason Finale

The safety battle had narrowed down to just three or four players after the Roberts injury, depending on whether or not you count Christian Izien as a lock to make the 53-man roster.

Head coach Todd Bowles proclaimed that Izien was safe earlier this summer, hinting that only one open spot remained behind the versatile backup and starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith. The contenders were Kaevon Merriweather, Rashad Wisdom, and undrafted rookie Shilo Sanders.

Now, Brooks will enter the fold ahead of the Buccaneers’ final preseason outing.

Obviously, with Brooks only joining the roster on August 18, he’s unlikely to make the 53-man roster. But that doesn’t mean he won’t show enough to steal a practice squad role away from another player.

If anything, Brooks presents as competition for Sanders. Although the Bucs could also keep both of them on the practice squad if they finish strong over the next week.

Sanders has had mixed results in his first two preseason outings, according to Pro Football Focus, with 3 missed tackles despite 1 key defensive stop and 1 quarterback pressure (a QB hit).

Buccaneers Are Dealing With Injury Woes at Safety

Before signing Brooks, the Buccaneers were already down two safeties. Roberts was transferred to the injured reserve, and Tampa Bay also parted ways with Marcus Banks after training camp injuries.

It doesn’t help that the Bucs’ key contributors at the position are banged up, too.

Per Pewter Report reporter Matt Matera, “Izien suffered an oblique injury in the Bucs’ preseason Week 2 win over the [Pittsburgh] Steelers, and his prognosis is not known yet other than Todd Bowles saying that he is sore.”

Winfield has also been sidelined with a mysterious “lower leg” injury, although it’s believed that the star safety will be ready to go in Week 1.

Safety has, at times, been an issue for the Buccaneers in recent seasons, and they’re not off to a great start in remedying that in 2025. Tampa Bay will hope to get healthier in this area over the next couple of weeks.