TYKEE SMITH NEWS

Rachaad White & Tykee Smith on Striving to be Greater | Press Conferences Hear from Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White & S Tykee Smith as they speak to the media during the first day of Bucs 2025 minicamp.

4 DAYS AGO • BUCCANEERS.COM

What Success Looks Like in 2025 To Tykee Smith | Slice S Tykee Smith sits down with team reporter Casey Phillips to talk about earning the trust of HC Todd Bowles in his rookie season, rememberin...

5 DAYS AGO • BUCCANEERS.COM

Humble and hungry, Shilo Sanders looks to forge NFL path with Bucs

Undrafted free agent Shilo Sanders, Shedeur's older brother, hopes to beat the odds and make the Bucs as a ballhawking rookie safety.

MAY 10

Aiming to build on recent draft success, Buccaneers could focus on defense in first round

Successful drafts have helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stay on top in the NFC South for the first half of this decade

APRIL 15

Bucs May Be Hesitating With Moving Tykee Smith To Safety Originally the Bucs were considering moving DB Tykee Smith from the slot to safety. But the team may be hesitant to make that move right now...

APRIL 2 • PEWTERREPORT.COM

Could move to safety Speaking Monday, Bucs GM Jason Licht said the team is considering moving Smith to safety full time next season, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Selected in the third round of the 2024 Draft, Smith played 672 defensive snaps as a rookie, 589 of which came as Tampa Bay's slot corner. Moving from the slot to safety wouldn't be a totally foreign challenge for the second-year defensive back. The Bucs released starting safety Jordan Whitehead (neck) at the start of free agency, opening up playing time at the position.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs To Host Slot Cornerback Option On Top 30 Visit The Bucs will host another cornerback on a Top 30 visit, perhaps one that can play in the slot in case Tykee Smith moves to strong safety.

MARCH 26 • PEWTERREPORT.COM

Impresses in rookie season Smith posted 54 tackles (38 solo), seven defensed passes, including two interceptions, and three forced fumbles across 13 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The rookie third-round pick mostly delivered on the promise he'd shown during his college days at Georgia, playing a robust rotational role in the Buccaneers' secondary right from the onset of the season and finishing with three tallies of eight or more tackles along the way. Smith also put together an impressive showing in the wild-card loss to the Commanders, helping make up for Jamel Dean's early exit due to a knee injury and supplying seven total tackles across 57 snaps. Smith missed four games with a knee injury in Weeks 8, 10, 12 and 13, but he otherwise proved a reliable presence and could push for a starting role this coming offseason and training camp.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Thursday Smith (personal) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Smith did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough while attending to a personal matter, but he should be able to play in Sunday's NFC wild-card round game against Washington. The rookie third-round pick finished his first NFL regular season with 54 tackles (38 solo), seven pass defenses (including two interceptions) and three forced fumbles in 13 games.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Smith (personal) did not practice Wednesday.

Impact Due to Smith's absence being due to personal reasons, it's rather unclear how likely he is or isn't to suit up for Sunday's wild-card game against the Commanders. More clarity could be provided when Tampa Bay releases its next injury report Thursday.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Past knee injury Smith (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact After opening the Bucs' week of practice with consecutive limited sessions, Smith logged a full workload Friday, suggesting he's moved past his knee injury in time to play Sunday. With the rookie safety from Georgia back at full health, he's expected to serve as Tampa Bay's top slot cornerback in Week 16.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still nursing knee issue Smith (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Smith has played through a knee issue over the Buccaneers' last two games, logging four tackles (three solo) and two pass defenses (including one interception) over that span. Unless his practice participation is downgraded over the next two days, the rookie third-rounder should be able to play against the Cowboys on Sunday.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Past knee injury Smith (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Impact Smith played through his knee injury in Tampa Bay's Week 14 win over the Raiders, recording three total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception, over 43 defensive snaps. His Week 15 status was in doubt following two limited practice sessions; however, he upgraded to a full workload Friday, suggesting that he'll play through his knee injury again Sunday. Expect the rookie from Georgia to serve as Tampa Bay's top slot corner against the Chargers.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still managing knee injury Smith (knee) was deemed limited in Wednesday's practice walkthrough, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Smith returned from a three-game absence Sunday against Las Vegas and logged 67 percent of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps while notching an interception and three tackles. His designation of limited Wednesday suggests the rookie cornerback is still dealing with the knee issue, but it's not yet clear if he's in any danger of sitting Sunday against the Chargers. Smith's practice participation the rest of the week should help clarify his status for that contest.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tykee Smith, Vita Vea & More Look to L.A. | Press Conferences Hear from Tampa Bay Buccaneers NT Vita Vea, S Tykee Smith and G Ben Bredeson as they speak to the media following Wednesday's Week 15 practi...

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Gets another pick in win Smith recorded three tackles (two solo) and an interception during Sunday's 28-13 win versus the Raiders.

Impact Smith played smothering man-to-man coverage on a pass underneath intended for Brock Bowers in the red zone, and he came away with his second interception of the season to preserve a 14-10 Tampa Bay lead late in the third quarter. He'll be looking to keep up the positive momentum in Week 15 against the Chargers.

DECEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tykee Smith Returns with Immediate Impact Rookie S Tykee Smith didn't have to shake off any rust after missing a month of action due to a knee injury, and his interception against th...

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Suiting up against Las Vegas Smith (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Impact Smith will return Sunday from a three-game absence due to a knee injury. The rookie third-rounder logged 42 tackles (30 solo), five pass defenses (including one interception) and three forced fumbles in the eight regular-season games before his injury. Smith is expected to slide back into his role at slot corner.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 14 Smith (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Impact Smith has been sidelined for the Bucs' last three games due to a knee injury. He managed to finish the week strong with a full practice Friday, but the rookie third-round pick hasn't been given the green light to return just yet. Smith's official status for Sunday's game will certainly be known once Tampa Bay releases its inactive list approximately 90 minutes before 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to open week Smith (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Smith has missed the last three games due to a knee injury he suffered during practice in early November. Wednesday was the first time Smith practiced since suffering the injury, which indicates that he is progressing through his recovery. The rookie third-rounder will have two more chances this week to practice in full ahead of Sunday's game against Las Vegas.

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss another game Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 13 contest against Carolina.

Impact Smith hurt his knee in practice Nov. 8 and will miss his third consecutive contest as a result. His absence will further thin a Tampa Bay secondary that will also be without starting safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral). Christian Izien figures to see lots of defensive snaps in Smith's stead Sunday.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to out for Week 12 Smith (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Impact Smith was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report, so he was never expected to play versus New York. Coach Todd Bowles had already essentially ruled out Smith for Week 12. The good news for Tampa Bay's secondary is that Jamel Dean (hamstring) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Officially doubtful for Sunday Smith (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Giants, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reported earlier Friday that head coach Todd Bowles ruled out Smith for Sunday's matchup in New York. However, the Buccaneers' official injury report Friday lists the rookie from Georgia as doubtful. If Smith is sidelined as expected in Week 12, Tavierre Thomas and Troy Hill (ankle) will likely serve as Tampa Bay's top slot cornerbacks.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 12 Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Smith was injured in the team's Friday practice ahead of Week 10, and he's been sidelined since. This will be his second consecutive game missed despite having extra time to heal with Tampa Bay coming out of its bye. The Bucs are dealing with injuries all over their cornerback depth chart, with Jamel Dean (hamstring) still on injured reserve but eligible to return this week. Zyon McCollum (hamstring) and Troy Hill (ankle) are also banged up.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Downgrades to DNP on Thursday Smith (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Impact Smith was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's injury report, but he was unable to take the field Thursday. The rookie third-rounder is in jeopardy of missing his third game of the regular season, but he'd give himself a chance at playing against the Giants on Sunday if he's able to return to practice Friday.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE