TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally received the medical green light they desperately needed up front. General Manager Jason Licht confirmed Tuesday that right guard Cody Mauch is firmly on track to be healthy for the start of 2026 training camp. Fox Sports insider Greg Auman broke the latest Cody Mauch injury update, putting an end to months of speculation regarding the offensive lineman’s recovery timeline. Mauch suffered a severe knee injury in mid-September against the Houston Texans, forcing him to miss the final 15 games of the 2025 season.
Rebuilding the Right Side of the Trenches
Mauch’s absence severely damaged Tampa Bay’s offensive continuity last fall. Before the turf claimed his season on Monday Night Football, the former North Dakota State product proved incredibly durable. He locked down the right guard position and logged 36 consecutive regular-season starts to begin his NFL career. When Mauch and right tackle Luke Goedeke went down in the same game, the protection completely crumbled. Quarterback Baker Mayfield absorbed heavy hits behind a rotating cast of practice-squad call-ups, which ultimately contributed to Tampa Bay missing the postseason.
The rehabilitation process kept Mauch grinding behind closed doors at One Buc Place all winter. You could feel the frustration in the stadium last year as the offense routinely struggled to open rushing lanes. Mauch brings a ruthless, contact-seeking mentality that the unit sorely missed. Getting him back at 100 percent solves a massive headache for the front office heading into free agency and the NFL Draft.
“All the long-term injury guys from 2025… will be healthy for the start of training camp.”
— Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Tampa Bay enters a critical 2026 campaign needing to reestablish its physical identity. Mauch immediately reclaims his starting spot at right guard, allowing the coaching staff to direct their draft capital toward defensive edge rushers or secondary depth rather than scrambling for interior blockers. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Mauch faces massive financial stakes this season. A return to his early-career form likely earns him a lucrative extension next spring.
The Buccaneers will hit the field for OTAs in May. Expect the medical staff to monitor Mauch closely, but Licht’s confidence signals that the right guard will take full 11-on-11 reps by the time the pads come on in late July.
