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A few things you might have missed during Bucs-Texans preseason finale

Linebacker K.J. Britt solidifies a spot on the 53-player roster. Other rookies? Hard to say.
 
Bucs rookie Jaelon Darden returns a kick against the Texans during Saturday night's first half in Houston.
Bucs rookie Jaelon Darden returns a kick against the Texans during Saturday night's first half in Houston. [ JUSTIN REX | Associated Press ]
Published Aug. 29, 2021|Updated Aug. 29, 2021

While Tom Brady’s surgical stint and rookie Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s relentless one provided Saturday night’s main story lines for the Bucs, a few significant subplots also arose.

With teams required to trim their respective rosters to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon, some guys on the fringe of the roster were attempting to put a solid final impression on film. Others were having debuts, or de facto homecomings.

“Some young players stepped up, others didn’t,” coach Bruce Arians said. “We’ve got some rookies that the game is still a little big for. We’ll continue to coach with them and hopefully we won’t have to play them.”

Here are a few things you might have missed from this 23-16 Tampa Bay triumph.

Some hiccups for Hainsey

In his pro debut (not to mention his maiden voyage at center), third-round draft pick Robert Hainsey had a couple of glaring glitches before appearing to settle down.

Hainsey, sidelined more than two weeks in August with an undisclosed ailment, watched Blaine Gabbert fail to secure his low shotgun snap near the goal line, resulting in a Texans safety in the second quarter. Shortly thereafter, he lofted one high, but Gabbert snagged it and handed off to Ke’Shawn Vaughn for no gain.

Hainsey played 34 games at right tackle for Notre Dame, but trained at center during the Senior Bowl and has played primarily at the position since joining the Bucs.

Britt cements his status

Fifth-round draft pick K.J. Britt, considered the front-runner for the team’s fourth inside linebacker spot, pulled away by several lengths Saturday night, finishing with seven tackles.

The former Auburn team captain had consecutive stops of running back Rex Burkhead inside the 5, including a stuff for no gain on fourth and goal from the 1, early in the third period. He also had a solo tackle on a Texans kick return.

Tight end watch continues

Bucs tight end Codey McElroy, right, catches a pass for a touchdown as Texans defensive back Jonathan Owens (36) defends during the second half of Saturday night's game. [ ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH | Associated Press ]

Practice squad veteran Codey McElroy, presumably vying with Tanner Hudson for the fourth tight end spot (should the Bucs go with four tight ends), remains on the bubble after his uneven performance.

McElroy (two catches, 32 yards) appeared to help his cause with a 20-yard scoring catch from rookie Kyle Trask late in the third period. But he also was singled out by Arians for his special-teams gaffe resulting in the second of Jose Borregales’ two blocked kicks.

“The first (block) was a low kick,” Arians said. “Second was a total whiff by the wing and he should be able to do that job, and he didn’t get it done. So it didn’t help his cause.”

Elsewhere, O.J. Howard — visibly rusty in last week’s 34-3 loss to the Titans — had a 5-yard reception from Tom Brady on third and 3 inside the red zone to help set up Tampa Bay’s second touchdown. Meantime, veteran Cameron Brate — in his preseason debut — caught both passes targeted to him for 18 yards.

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Hudson caught the only pass targeted to him for 7 yards.

Nice stats, but no splash

While coaches clearly remain enamored with rookie receiver Jaelon Darden’s fleetness and upside, they entered the weekend waiting for the fourth-round pick to brandish it in a game.

After three preseason contests, they’re still waiting.

In his homecoming, the 5-foot-8 Houston native finished with three catches (on five targets) for 35 yards. His 26-yard catch of a mildly underthrown Trask spiral in the third period represented his biggest splash play of the preseason. Midway through the second, his miscommunication with Blaine Gabbert on a downfield route resulted in an interception.

Similarly, Darden’s performance in the return game has produced mixed results. He averaged 11.4 yards on five punt returns and totaled 29 yards on two kick returns.

Dee Delaney dazzles

Bucs defensive back Dee Delaney (30) intercepts a pass in front of Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) during the first half of Saturday night's game. Delaney also had a fourth-quarter pick. [ ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH | Associated Press ]

Dee Delaney, among a handful of cornerbacks in a furious battle for a roster spot, had two interceptions, including one of Davis Mills with 1:41 remaining in the game. Delaney also had a pass breakup in the end zone on a Mills two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter.

He led all Bucs corners with six tackles and finished with a team-high three pass deflections.

“So I have watch the rest of the tape but you saw the splash plays, but the guys (were) right behind him twice, where he shouldn’t have been,” Arians said.

“I have to watch the whole film before I make declarations of who helped themselves. Obviously getting two picks, you ain’t going to hurt yourself, that’s for sure. And same with Herbie (Herb Miller).

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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