Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Elijah Roberts has done enough to earn the starting job, head coach Todd Bowles said.
“He is really understanding the system and getting comfortable and then applying that to his ability in already knowing how to play. He is really settling in down there,” Bowles said at a press conference Friday. “(He is) using his hands a lot more, he is bringing his feet with him. He is one of our slipperiest guys down there.”
When asked whether he views Roberts as the Buccaneers’ starter now, Bowles gave a straightforward response:
“I do,” he said.
GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 12: Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Elijah Roberts Has Put Up a Strong Performance This Season
When pass-rushing defensive tackle Calijah Kancey went down with a torn pectoral muscle, Roberts was called on to step up for the Bucs — and he’s done exactly that, and more. Now, his playing time reflects it.
Roberts, a fifth-round pick by Tampa Bay this year, has been productive from the start. Through seven games, he’s recorded 12 pressures, an 11.1% win rate, and a sack. He’s served as a rotational player alongside starter Logan Hall , but things appear to be shifting in Tampa Bay following abysmal performance against the Detroit Lions .
Roberts’ role took a notable turn against Detroit — he started on the defensive line and saw an uptick in snaps. According to Pro Football Reference, Roberts played 68% of the defensive snaps compared to Hall’s 63%. After his impressive performances in recent weeks, it appears Roberts has officially earned a starting spot for the Buccaneers.
With Bowles’ confirmation, it appears Roberts will take over as the starter ahead of Hall for the remainder of the season. That arrangement will continue into Week 8 on Sunday, when the Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints in their final game before the bye week.
Bucs Lose Mike Evans for Possibly the Year
On the offensive side of the ball, in addition to a tough loss against the Lions on Monday, the Bucs also lost their star receiver for possibly the rest of the season.
Mike Evans , who had been approaching 13,000 career receiving yards, will be sidelined to near the end of the season with a broken collarbone.
“(The Buccaneers training staff) was looking at his right shoulder, but seeing him getting carted off should let you know he’s in excruciating pain,” ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge said during the broadcast. “They are finally carting him off because he was just having so much trouble just getting off the field on his own … the official word from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is he is out with a concussion and a shoulder injury.”
“WR Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone and is out for most of the year, coach Todd Bowles announced,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Oct. 20. “Absolutely brutal.”
Evans, 32 years old, is tied with Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice for the NFL record for most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards with 11.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Buccaneers Rookie Has Locked in Starting Job, Todd Bowles Says appeared first on Heavy Sports .