Rueben Bain Jr. Injured, Latest Rumors on Bucs Rookie's Timeline to Return Ahead of 2026 Season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. suffered a shoulder injury that isn't expected to sideline him for the regular season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Bain is dealing with an AC sprain but is expected to be ready for Week 1, Schefter reported Wednesday.

The Buccaneers are set to open the regular season Sept. 13 at the Cincinnati Bengals.

An AC sprain is an injury to the joint that connects the collar bone to the shoulder blade, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Bucs are set to close out the preseason Friday with a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bain made his NFL debut during a preseason matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday.

He played two drives for the Bucs and instantly made an impact within his first few NFL snaps.

The Bucs shared a clip Tuesday of Bain once more showing off his physicality during a joint practice against the Jaguars.

Bain was watching from the sideline during Wednesday's joint practice, per Fox Sports' Greg Auman.

Bain, who will turn 22 ahead of next month's regular-season opener, played three seasons with Miami. He racked up 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and an interception in 16 games during his 2025 junior campaign.

The Buccaneers, which ranked 27th in the NFL in passing defense last season, were hoping to bolster the team's pass rush by adding Bain with the No. 15 pick of the 2026 draft.

Having Bain as a disruptive force on the defensive line is key to the Bucs' hopes of bouncing back from last season's playoff miss and contending for another NFC South title.

The Bucs figured to hold Bain out of Friday's preseason finale while hoping he will be ready to open the regular season in two and a half weeks.