Chris Godwin Jr. is healthier, Ted Hurst III continues to impress and Tampa Bay prepares to test its revamped roster against New York

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles says the combination of veteran and rookie additions has brought a noticeable change in leadership, attitude and toughness to the team as Tampa Bay prepares for joint practices with the New York Jets.

Following Sunday’s training camp practice, Bowles praised the impact of the Buccaneers’ offseason additions and said the difference has been significant.

“It’s huge. I mean, it’s night and day with the veterans that came in and with the rookies that have come in, just from a leadership standpoint, an attitude standpoint, a mentality and study habits,” Bowles said.

Bowles specifically mentioned Kenny Gainwell, Alex Anzalone, A’Shawn Robinson, Josiah Trotter, Rueben Bain Jr. and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches among players helping shape the team’s mentality.

“It’s been a breath of fresh air to see, and everybody gravitates toward them,” Bowles said.

Bowles: Chris Godwin Jr. ‘Peaking at the Right Time’

One of the more encouraging developments for Tampa Bay has been the condition of veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr.

Bowles said Godwin enters this stage of camp healthier than he has been in recent years.

“I think he’s healthier right now,” Bowles said. “Years past he’s been hurt the last two [training camps], but he’s a lot healthier right now.”

Bowles praised Godwin’s mental sharpness, toughness and leadership while emphasizing that the veteran remains an important playmaker in both the passing and blocking games.

“I think right now he’s peaking at the right time,” Bowles said.

Ted Hurst III Making His Case

Wide receiver Ted Hurst III also drew attention during Sunday’s practice, particularly for his ability to make contested catches.

“He can go up and get the ball,” Bowles said. “You see it on his college tape as well, and those are good things to see.”

Hurst said he is trying to establish that ability as a defining part of his game.

“[I’m] just trying to be myself and exploit and show that that’s my game, going up, attacking the ball,” Hurst said.

Cornerback Jacob Parrish also singled out Hurst when asked which receivers have challenged him during camp.

“I’ll say Ted Hurst [III] — he had a very good catch on me today, actually,” Parrish said. “He’s a rookie, very tall, good at running, very fast.”

Hurst said his first NFL training camp has reinforced how much attention to detail is required at the professional level.

“These are the best athletes in the world and everything’s detailed,” Hurst said.

Buccaneers Defense Showing New Energy

Parrish said Tampa Bay’s defensive additions have brought a different attitude to the unit.

“I would say it’s just the energy and the guys we brought in,” Parrish said. “They got an edge to them.”

Bowles also praised Parrish’s development, describing him as one of Tampa Bay’s best coverage defenders alongside Zyon McCollum.

“He’s very quick,” Bowles said. “He’s right up there with Zyon as one of our best cover guys, and he can play inside as well, so that makes him very versatile.”

Bowles said Parrish’s improved understanding of the defensive scheme has allowed him to rely on more than his athletic ability entering his second season.

Josiah Trotter Brings Old-School Physicality

Bowles offered a colorful assessment of linebacker Josiah Trotter when asked what distinguishes him from other linebackers he has coached.

“He’s almost like a new-school linebacker in an old-school body,” Bowles said.

The coach said Trotter combines size and athleticism with an aggressive downhill playing style.

“He really knows how to play the game, and he really plays with intent to do serious harm,” Bowles said.

Parrish similarly praised Trotter’s intensity while discussing Tampa Bay’s young defensive players.

Rueben Bain Jr. Impresses Nuñez-Roches

Veteran defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, back with Tampa Bay after spending time with the New York Giants, said he has been impressed with rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr.’s approach.

“Rueben is impressive,” Nuñez-Roches said. “Just to see him with his poise, the way that he stacks his rushes, his approach to the game, even just the way he watches his film on the sideline in between plays.”

Nuñez-Roches said Bain actively seeks advice on ways to improve between plays.

“I can’t wait to see what he does this season,” Nuñez-Roches said.

Ayden Garnes Continues Development

Bowles also highlighted cornerback Ayden Garnes as a young player showing significant improvement since offseason workouts.

Bowles said Garnes appears to have developed a better understanding of Tampa Bay’s defensive scheme, allowing him to play faster and more consistently.

Hurst also praised Garnes’ preparation and film study.

“Every time I walk around, I see him looking at film or I just see him studying this game and taking it to the field,” Hurst said. “He’s definitely a great competitor.”

Buccaneers Turn Attention to Jets

Tampa Bay’s next test comes against unfamiliar competition as the Buccaneers prepare for joint practices with the New York Jets in New Jersey.

Bowles said practicing against another organization provides an opportunity to evaluate whether Tampa Bay’s players can execute their assignments against a different system.

“Here, it can get a little mundane when you go against the same guy every day,” Bowles said.

The joint practices will also give Tampa Bay coaches an opportunity to evaluate players such as David Walker against outside competition.

Bowles emphasized that the objective is productive football work — not fighting.

“That’s not what we’re going up there for,” Bowles said. “We’re going up there to practice and get better.”

With Tampa Bay moving deeper into its preseason preparations, Bowles said Sunday’s practice provided another sign that the offense and defense are beginning to operate more cohesively.

“We’re functioning better as a unit,” Bowles said, “so that’s the overall picture for both sides of the football going into next week.”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (FNN SPORTS) — Talladega Superspeedway will once again play a pivotal role in NASCAR’s championship battle, with two race weekends scheduled for April and October 2027 at the legendary Alabama track.

NASCAR will return to Talladega April 24-25 and Oct. 29-31, 2027, giving fans two opportunities to experience racing on the superspeedway’s iconic high banks.

The October weekend will carry major championship implications as all three NASCAR national series compete at Talladega during The Chase.

Talladega’s Spring 2027 Weekend

Talladega’s traditional spring race weekend returns April 24-25, featuring the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Cup Series.

The weekend will provide drivers with an early-season opportunity to secure valuable points in one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable superspeedway races.

The schedule includes:

Saturday, April 24: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races

Sunday, April 25: NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

The Chase Returns to Talladega in October

The stakes will increase significantly when NASCAR returns to Talladega from Oct. 29-31, 2027, with championship contenders battling for position late in the season.

All three NASCAR national series will compete during the weekend, which is expected to play an important role in determining the drivers who remain in contention for their respective championships.

The October schedule includes:

Friday, Oct. 29: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225

Saturday, Oct. 30: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250

Sunday, Oct. 31: NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

“It’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to continue to have two race weekends giving our fans multiple opportunities to experience high-stakes action at this incredible venue,” said Josh Harris, region president of Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway.

“Looking up into the grandstands and seeing the passion the fans have for NASCAR in the heart of Alabama is extremely rewarding and we look forward to seeing action-packed racing return next spring and fall.”

Carson Hocevar Earned Breakthrough Talladega Victory

Earlier this year, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar captured his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega, edging Chris Buescher in a dramatic finish.

The 23-year-old Michigan native celebrated the milestone by sitting on the window ledge of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet during a victory pass in front of the Talladega grandstands.

2026 YellaWood 500 Weekend Still Ahead

Before attention turns to 2027, Talladega will host another major weekend of racing this fall as part of The Chase.

The action begins Friday, Oct. 23, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series follows with The Progress Group 250 on Saturday, Oct. 24, before NASCAR Cup Series drivers take on Talladega’s famous 33-degree banking in the YellaWood 500 on Sunday, Oct. 25.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai, the team announced Thursday. Jacksonville also waived linebacker Jared Bartlett with an injury designation.

Tavai brings seven seasons of NFL experience and a résumé that includes 107 regular-season games and 67 starts.

The 29-year-old linebacker has played for the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots since entering the NFL as a second-round selection by Detroit with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Over his career, Tavai has recorded 432 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, 14 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Last season with New England, Tavai appeared in 12 regular-season games, making seven starts. He finished with 34 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.

Tavai also appeared in all four of New England’s postseason games, making two starts, including an appearance in Super Bowl LX.

College Career at Hawaii

A native of Inglewood, California, Tavai played college football at Hawaii from 2014-18.

During his collegiate career, he appeared in 47 games and totaled 391 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

The addition gives Jacksonville another experienced option at linebacker as the Jaguars continue preparing for the 2026 NFL season.