The Buccaneers fired coach Lovie Smith after just two seasons and players were shocked. Check out what defensive leader Lavonte David had to say.

The Da'Quan Bowers experiment is over in Tampa Bay. The defensive lineman confirmed Friday that he's been released by the team after four underwhelming seasons with the Bucs.

The NFL suspended Da'Quan Bowers for two games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end is eligible to return Week 10.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to practice Thursday after missing practice Wednesday with a sore back. See who else made Thursday's injury roundup.

A.J. Green and Julio Jones have been compared ever since they were the first two receivers drafted in 2011, and they'll display their talents when the Bengals host the Falcons. Here's your weekend guide.

Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who missed 13 games in 2012 with a knee injury, is out for the 2014 season after Tampa Bay put him on injured reserve with a torn biceps.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers is dealing with a groin injury. Coach Lovie Smith said all the missed time could put the 2011 second-round pick's job in jeopardy.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added some depth along the defensive line in the form of former San Diego Chargers first-round pick Larry English. English will move from linebacker to defensive end.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rusher Da'Quan Bowers hasn't lived up to expectations the team had when he was drafted in 2011. How did Bowers answer Bucs GM Jason Licht's challenge to make an impact?

The Buccaneers are running out of patience with Da'Quan Bowers. After he showed up to team workouts in less-than-stellar shape, is the former second-round pick a potential roster cut in Tampa Bay?

Da'Quan Bowers has been placed on injured reserve, ending his third NFL campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Thursday. It was a quiet end to a season the defensive end had hoped to dominate.

Our midseason report continues with Chris Wesseling's "Making the Leap" series. Find out which young players join Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan as first-half stars.

Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso tops our "Making the Leap" watch after back-to-back highlight-filled games. Find out where your favorite young star ranks on this week's list.

Continuing our "Making the Leap" watch, Chris Wesseling highlights 10 of the NFL's most impressive young players entering Week 2. Where does the Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith rank?

Da'Quan Bowers once was considered an every-down player by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the team reportedly is rethinking that decision, along with its overall expectations for Bowers.

A.J. Jenkins, the 49ers' 2012 first-round draft pick, needs an impressive showing tonight to ease himself off the roster bubble. Gregg Rosenthal highlights seven other players worth watching Friday.

Free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes missed the 2012 season with a torn Achilles tendon, but he already has impressed the Miami Dolphins. His recovery points to the power of modern medicine.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gambling on an injury-prone Da'Quan Bowers as their missing pass rusher. Can the 2011 second-round draft pick make the leap to reliable starter in his third season?

Michael Crabtree is making progress in his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver apparently now can start working out. What does this mean for his 2013 prospects?

Around The League continues its "Making the Leap" series with a look at Washington Redskins defensive end Jarvis Jenkins. Can Jenkins add a key pass-rushing element in 2013?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all the ingredients to be a playoff team in 2013. The biggest question goes back to the most important position on the field: Can Josh Freeman be The Man?

Coming off a 7-9 season under coach Greg Schiano, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast a young roster that could sink or swim in the NFC South. Marc Sessler believes they'll swim, right into January.