The Buccaneers drafted Ali Marpet in the second round of the 2015 draft and signed J.R. Sweezy as a free agent this offseason, giving them a pair of guards to plug into the starting lineup this season.
Now they’re just going to have to be patient about getting a look at both of them on the field at the same time. Coach Dirk Koetter said Tuesday at the start of the team’s voluntary minicamp that both guards had medical procedures this offseason -- he didn’t specify what they were addressing -- and aren’t expected to practice until training camp.
“J.R. had to have an offseason procedure done. He’s going to be out for OTAs and will be back and ready to go for training camp,” Koetter said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “We’re starting a little bit earlier than some teams and there are tons of guys in the league having some offseason things cleaned up. J.R. falls into that category ... Ali is another guy that’s in that boat.”
Marpet missed three games with an ankle injury as a rookie while Sweezy missed five games over four years with the Seahawks.
