Will Devin White Practice In Camp? Bucs Aren’t Sure

Bucs inside linebacker Devin White has reported for training camp, which starts on Wednesday.

But will White actually practice?

Or will White be a “hold-in?”

That is when a player who is unhappy with his contract status reports for mandatory events like mandatory mini-camp or training camp to avoid being fined, but doesn’t suit up to practice.

That’s what White did in June for the team’s mandatory mini-camp. He attended the practices, but didn’t put on a helmet and didn’t participate, opting to watch on the sidelines instead.

Bucs Coach, G.M. Aren’t Positive Devin White Will Practice In Camp

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht were each asked Tuesday morning if Devin White would participate in training camp and practice with the team on Wednesday morning.

“I haven’t seen everybody, and we haven’t met yet,” Bowles said. “But I know everyone is here, and Devin is here as well. He’s under contract. We don’t worry about next year. We worry about this year. I know he’ll be ready to play. I know he’s here. We’ll see when we come out tomorrow.”

When asked if he believed White would take the practice field, Bowles wasn’t committal.

“I haven’t talked to him – I can’t sit here and say, ‘I talked to Devin and he said …” I can’t speak for anybody,” Bowles said.

Licht said there has been no change in White’s status with the team this offseason. He must play on the fifth-year option, which will pay him $11.706 million this season, and White doesn’t have any real leverage. Holding out would only prolong him getting his next contract – whether it be with Tampa Bay or another team in 2024.

“It hasn’t changed since the last time we talked about it,” Licht said. “There is nothing but love for Devin. I know he showed up. I know he’s here. I know he’s excited about showing us and showing the NFL world [what] he is capable of being, so we’ll just have to see how it plays out. I’m glad that he’s here. I know his teams are. There’s nothing but love for Devin.”

When Licht was asked if he expected to see White practicing with the Bucs on Wednesday as training camp begins, he too was non-committal, but hopeful.

“You know … that’s a hypothetical,” Licht said. “I am assuming that he will. I am assuming that he’s going to put himself in the best position to be ready for the season. I’ll put it that way.”

Devin White Is Medically Cleared To Participate In Camp

Bucs ILBs Devin White and Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Todd Bowles essentially covered for Devin White during the mandatory mini-camp, suggesting that he wasn’t physically ready to go after his star linebacker missed all of the voluntary conditioning and OTA practices. But like all players who report for training camp, White had to pass his physical, which he did. And if a player passes a physical, there should be no reason why he can’t practice.

When asked if there would be any reason to hold White out of training camp, Bowles said, “No.”

While Bowles and Licht haven’t offered much in response to questions about White’s contract frustrations, fellow linebacker and team legend Lavonte David had a little more to say last month. David, who has been a teammate and mentor of White’s since the former LSU star was drafted in 2019, said he knew that his running mate will be ready to go win football games when it’s time.

“His emotions got the best of him,” David said. “I know Devin wants to be here, he wants to play here. His emotions got the best of him. He’s here ready to work. He’s not ready to go right now, but he’s getting himself ready for training camp. I talked to him throughout the whole process whenever that stuff was going on with him. I know the type of person Devin is. I know he’s ready to get back out there and play football and be able to help us win.”

So, will Devin White put his contract squabble with the team behind him and focus on the 2023 season and becoming a more consistent linebacker worthy of the big pay day he’s seeking, which is believed to be between $18 million-$20 million per season?

We’ll have to wait until Wednesday morning to find out.

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