The Bucs sustained a serious injury to one of the players vying for a starting job during Tuesday night’s training camp practice. Sua Opeta, who was battling Ben Bredeson for the right to start at left guard, suffered a torn ACL during practice and is out for the year.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news.

#Bucs OG Sua Opeta suffered a torn ACL at camp this week, per source.

Opeta had signed with Bucs in free agency and got hurt during Tuesday’s practice.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 31, 2024

While Opeta was in the competition for the starting left guard position, Bredeson was considered to be the current leader through the first week of training camp. Opeta, who comes from the Philadelphia Eagles, signed a one-year deal worth $1.375 million in free agency. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder was noted for his run blocking and was less expensive to sign than Bredeson.

Bredeson, who has spent time in Baltimore and with the New York Giants, also signed a one year deal with Tampa Bay this offseason, but his cap value is worth $2.98 million. He has experience playing both guard and center, and is noticeably bigger at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds.

The team is expected to place Opeta on injured reserve in the coming days. That will free up a roster spot for Tampa Bay to sign another player when that happens.

With Sua Opeta Out, Who Will Bucs Turn To At Left Guard?
While newcomer Ben Bredeson was the leader in the competition for the left guard spot, the team might want to give him some competition in the wake of Sua Opeta’s season-ending ACL injury. Rookie Elijah Klein has been practicing more at right guard behind starter Cody Mauch, but may see more snaps at left guard with the loss of Opeta.

There is also the chance that Robert Hainsey, who will likely wind up as the backup center behind rookie Graham Barton, could factor into the mix at left guard. Barton, Tampa Bay’s first-round pick, is expected to win the starting center job, and Hainsey has two year’s worth of starting experience at the center position over the last couple of seasons.

Other guards on Tampa Bay’s roster that could move up the depth chart due to Opeta’s injury include Avery Jones and Xavier Delgado. Brandon Walton, who has been seeing more time as a reserve right tackle, might also factor into the competition at guard due to his position flexibility.