TAMPA
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter didn't get too specific, but as is the norm in the NFL, most starters will get tonight off as Tampa Bay closes its preseason at home against Washington. • The threat of severe weather makes it only more likely teams will be conservative in protecting established players, leaving a mix of backups and players who will be cut between now and Saturday's NFL deadline to reduce rosters from 75 to 53 players. • Still, you can read a lot from a player's status in the preseason finale; last year, 25 of the 26 players held out of the game made the initial 53-man roster, with another 15 coming from the actual starters in the game.