(Getty)
The preseason match-up between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins was moved from from Thursday night to Wednesday because of the threat for severe weather in the Tampa area. The worst of the weather from Tropical Depression Nine is expected to make landfall on Thursday.
The change was announced late Monday evening, which created a quick turnaround for players who are gearing up for their final preseason game and fighting for roster spots.
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said the bulk of starters will not play Wednesday night, as is the norm for the fourth preseason game. Instead, Wednesday’s game will feature backups and players who will be cut between now and Saturday’s NFL deadline to reduce rosters from 75 to 53 players.
“There are a lot of jobs on the line,” said Bucs cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah, who is expected to play tonight. “Everybody here is trying to make a roster, trying to make this team, and this last preseason game is very important to a lot of us. We’ve got to be able to go out there and put on film [the results of] all our hard work throughout camp and be able to be evaluated by the organization. It’s very important that we get ourselves ready to go and come out here and play a clean game.”
Redskins coach Jay Gruden has said the team will rest most of its starters, in addition to some veteran backups. Rookie Nate Sudfeld is expected to get the start at quarterback.
“I mean it’s not ideal to do a game a little bit early just because it kind of messes with your process of what you study each day, but I’ve been really diligent throughout the week of getting ready for this game, so I feel very prepared,” Sudfeld said, according to Redskins.com. “The funny thing is I told my quarterback coach on Sunday, I was like, ‘I feel like I could play them tomorrow,’ about Monday, kind of not thinking anything of it, so hopefully it holds true and we play pretty well. I feel very prepared.”
Fellow rookie draft picks Su’a Cravensand Kendall Fuller are expected to get their share of reps as well.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.
Redskins vs. Buccaneers Viewing Info
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Outside of the local markets, NFL Network will televise the game nationally.
The game will be blacked out on the NFL Network in the respective teams’ TV markets where local affiliates have the broadcast rights and will show the game.
–Buccaneers Preseason TV Network:
WFLA (NBC/8 – Tampa)
WOFL (FOX/35 – Orlando)
WFTX (FOX/4 – Fort Myers)
You can click here for a complete list of channels in this market
-Redskins Preseason TV Network:
WRC (NBC/4 – Washington)
Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic
WNUV (CW/54 – Baltimore)
You can click here for a complete list of channels in this market
Line: Buccaneers (-2.5), per OddsShark
Over/Under: 37.5