Buccaneers backup offensive lineman Mike Liedtke will miss the 2019 season with a shoulder injury, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Liedtke, 27, went undrafted out of Illinois State in 2015, and spent time with the Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, and Browns before finding a home in Tampa Bay in 2016. After spending parts of two seasons on the Buccaneers’ practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster for good in December 2017. Last year, Liedtke appeared in nine games but played only three offensive snaps.
Tampa Bay has other reserve guards capable of backing up starters Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa, including Earl Watford and Caleb Benenoch. But if the club looks to the open market for depth, free agent options could include Brandon Fusco, Chance Warmack, Jermon Bushrod, and John Greco.
Hate to see UDFA guys suffer these kind of setbacks when the odds are already heavily stacked against them. Spotrac has Liedtke with a 15 snap count for 9 games last season.