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TAMPA, Fla. – Football season is finally here, and Bucs fans will get their first chance to see the team take the field at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Bucs host Chiefs in preseason game <\/p>\n
What we know:<\/p>\n
The Bucs are expected to play their first-team units for a series or two, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.<\/p>\n
The game will give Tampa Bay\u2019s starters a chance to get some preseason reps and build chemistry with Zac Robinson, the team\u2019s new offensive coordinator, before the regular season begins.<\/p>\n
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The matchup is the second of Tampa Bay\u2019s three preseason tuneups, making it a key opportunity to begin evaluating how the starters are coming together.<\/p>\n
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Preseason starters and absences <\/p>\n
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not play Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Mahomes has been working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL in his knee. He has participated fully in Kansas City\u2019s camp workouts but has not yet played in a preseason game.<\/p>\n
Justin Fields is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs instead.<\/p>\n
One notable Bucs absence will be defensive tackle Vita Vea. Despite reaching a new contract extension with Tampa Bay this week, Vea will not play Saturday night as he continues working his way back into football shape.<\/p>\n
Broadcast booth reunion <\/p>\n
Why you should care:<\/p>\n
There is another reason for Bucs fans to tune in, even if they are not heading to Ray Jay.<\/p>\n
Former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden is returning to the broadcast booth for the game. He will handle play-by-play alongside former Bucs cornerback and Super Bowl champion Ronde Barber.<\/p>\n
Gruden coached the Bucs to their first Super Bowl championship following the 2002 season. After leaving Tampa Bay in 2009, he went on to work as a color analyst for ESPN\u2019s Monday Night Football.<\/p>\n
Mayfield, who won\u2019t hear Gruden\u2019s calls from the field, said it is great to have Gruden back around the organization and praised his energy and passion for football.<\/p>\n
“Honestly there\u2019s no telling what\u2019s gonna happen up there in the booth, but it should be a lot of good football talk,”\u00a0Mayfield said. “Just having him around and having him still involved around the building. It\u2019s great.”<\/p>\n
Where to watch <\/p>\n
The Bucs and Chiefs kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game will air locally on NBC and will also be available to stream through NFL+.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s game is Tampa Bay\u2019s only home preseason game.<\/p>\n
What’s next:<\/p>\n
Bucs fans will have to wait until September to see the team back at Raymond James Stadium for a regular-season game.<\/p>\n
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Tampa Bay\u2019s first home game of the regular season is Sept. 20 against the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n
The Source: Information for this preview comes from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and comments from quarterback Baker Mayfield during practice this week.<\/p>\n
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