Opeta had been competing for the Bucs’ starting left guard role.
The Bucs sustained a blow to their depth when it was revealed that guard Sua Opeta tore his ACL at practice Tuesday night. The original report came from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
#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
Opeta, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, found himself in a competition with fellow free agent signee Ben Bredeson for the starting left guard spot. While Bredeson garnered dibs on first-team reps early in camp, Opeta, 27, received his fair share as well. It seemed likely that the competition wouldn’t begin in earnest until the team’s first preseason game next week, but that all changes now.
It seems Bredeson, 26, has the wide-open road to the starting role for now, provided he shows out at well throughout the rest of camp and in the preseason. The University of Michigan product entered the NFL in 2020 as a fourth-round pick with the Baltimore Ravens.
He saw limited dress time with the Ravens his rookie year before being jettisoned to the New York Giants in a trade. Injuries largely derailed the following two seasons, as he made sporadic starts in both.
He started 16 games in 2023, grading out as one of the worst offensive linemen in football per Pro Football Focus (42.1 grade). He played 1,014 snaps, allowing 5 sacks (tied 9th worst) and committing 6 penalties (tied for 10th).
The Bucs must be convinced there’s a gem to be mined under a pile of mediocre performances for Bredeson. While he is young, it seems to wise to explore other veteran options via free agency or a trade. Or, they could give a bigger opportunity to rookie guard Elijah Klein, who’s been a mainstay on the second line at right guard in practice.
Free agents still available include Mark Glowinski, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Phi Haynes.