Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rumors: Team Meeting With Free Agent Kicker

Former kicker for the Indianapolis Colts, Rodrigo Blankenship, is making a determined comeback to the NFL.

After undergoing a season-ending hip injury in 2021 and being released by the Colts, Blankenship is now fully recovered and ready to prove himself once again.

His quest to return to the league has led him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' mandatory minicamp, where he is currently trying out for a spot on the roster.

Rodrigo Blankenship with a warm welcome on his first day with the Bucs. Baker Mayfield says, "I still don't like you."

Blankenship's Georgia Bulldogs beat Baker Mayfield's Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 Rose Bowl CFP Semifinal. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/i3oeVyKM8H
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) June 13, 2023

Blankenship initially joined the Colts as an undrafted rookie in 2020 and enjoyed a successful debut season, converting 32 of 37 field goals and 43 of 45 extra points. However, his sophomore season was cut short due to the aforementioned hip injury, leading to his release after just one game.

In 2022, Blankenship had a rocky start with the Colts, missing a crucial field goal in overtime and having two kickoffs go out of bounds in a tie game against the Houston Texans.

FA kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is in Tampa Bay this week on a minicamp tryout with the #Bucs, source said. After having surgery in January to repair a torn muscle in his leg, he’s finally healthy for the first time in over a year. TB is one of several teams interested.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 12, 2023

As a result, he was ultimately let go by the team. Later in the season, Blankenship briefly found a spot with the Arizona Cardinals, where he made both field goals attempted but missed one of his three extra point attempts.

Now, fully recovered from his previous injuries, Blankenship is determined to showcase his skills once again.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among several other teams, have taken notice of his potential and have granted him an opportunity to prove himself during their mandatory minicamp.

With Chase McLaughlin as the sole kicker on the Buccaneers' roster at the moment, the team is seeking additional competition and Blankenship aims to impress and earn a spot on their team for the upcoming season. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports