Tampa Bay Buccaneers Adam Hayward Goes on PUP, Good News for Najee Goode?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't hold their first training camp practice until Friday but already there's a surprise.

The team has put veteran linebacker Adam Hayward on the Physically Unable to Perform list. We knew that Da'Quan Bowers would be there, and he is. He may miss this entire season thanks to that Achilles tear in the offseason workouts.

Amobi Okoye is on the PUP as well, thanks to that arthroscopic knee surgery in June.

But as Tampa Bay Times beat writer Rick Stroud tweeted, the Hayward situation comes as a big surprise.

The team gave no indication that Hayward had any physical problems during the mandatory mini-camp last month, yet there he is on the PUP.

Which begs the question: Isn't this good news for rookie linebacker Najee Goode. You bet it is. That means more reps for Goode, who is a solid contender to get extensive playing time this season at either the MIKE of SAM positions.

Whatever it is that is ailing Hayward, he needs to be back in action as soon as possible. Hayward has distinguished himself the past two seasons as a solid special teams player. He's the special teams captain and can play virtually all three linebacker positions.