Brent

Bowden

The 26-year-old will be replaced by sixth-round pick Brent Bowden. Paulescu was the Bucs’ punter in five games last season, dropping eight kicks inside the opposing 20-yard line and averaging a solid 43.4 yards per attempt.

The Bucs went through a bunch of punters last season after Josh Bidwell got hurt in the preseason. Paulescu averaged 42.4 yards per punt in five games with the Bucs, but Bowden should have the edge here with a stronger leg.

The Bucs gave up on Sam Paulescu, so Bowden is expected to be the team’s Opening Day starter. This assumes Bowden doesn’t face plant in camp.

Bryan was narrowly defeated by Tim Masthay in Packers training camp, and the Bucs see him as an upgrade over the rookie draft pick Bowden. Bowden may sign with Tampa Bay’s practice squad. The Bucs aren’t going to field much of a rushing offense this season, so Bryan figures to get a lot of work.

Bowden never had a shot to beat out Matt Turk, who still has a little gas in the tank at age 43.

Bowden was a sixth-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2010 but failed to make their roster. He’ll be a camp leg for the Jags.