Arians chides players who aren't at OTAs, says jobs are in jeopardy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians publicly warned players skipping voluntary workouts Tuesday that they could be pushed off the roster.

"These guys out here are working their asses off, but I'd like to see about 10 more of them out there fighting for jobs that they don't know they're fighting for," he told reporters.

The Buccaneers resumed organized team activities with Memorial Day weekend in the rearview mirror. They held practices May 25-27 and will work out again Wednesday and Thursday.

The defending Super Bowl champions are slated to host mandatory minicamp June 7-9 before their final three voluntary sessions of the offseason June 15-17.

The NFL Players Association has been encouraging players to exercise their right not to participate in offseason activities that aren't mandatory. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was at the forefront of the movement, and he's one of several Bucs veterans working out away from the rest of the team.

"(Brady) is not in town right now so I would hope some of those guys that have been with him will come here tomorrow," Arians said. "We'll see."

Tampa Bay practiced Tuesday without its usual depth in the backfield. C.J. Prosise is with his wife, who recently gave birth, while second-year running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn is working out with Brady and other veterans.

"Ke'Shawn decided to work out with those guys," said Arians. "That's their choice, but hopefully he'll make a better decision tomorrow."

The 68-year-old expressed a similar sentiment about second-year wide receiver Tyler Johnson.

"Yeah, I would wish that he would be over here," he said. "He's not (dumb). Tom is throwing him the ball over there, so I might be with Tom too."

The Buccaneers are preparing to enter their third season under Arians, who owns an 18-14 record in the regular season but guided Tampa Bay to a championship in Super Bowl LV.