Gardner-Johnson was released by Houston after three starts, totaling 15 tackles with no interceptions, as the secondary struggled to mesh with DeMeco Ryans' scheme. The move follows the March swap that sent Kenyon Green to Philadelphia for Gardner-Johnson, a deal that hasn’t produced the desired upgrade. With three tight losses and 0-3, Houston seeks a chemistry fix ahead of facing Tennessee; fantasy implications include a reshuffled back end and potential new opportunities for Texans pass-catchers and opposing offenses.

Bucs stun Houston 20-19 as Mayfield engineers a late 11-play, 80-yard march, sealed by Rachaad White’s 2-yard TD with 6 seconds left. Mayfield threw 215 yards and 2 scores, plus a key 15-yard scramble on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Houston led late on Nick Chubb’s 25-yard TD before a chaotic finish featuring a blocked punt and Will Anderson’s pressure. Emeka Egbuka shined for Tampa Bay with another TD, underscoring a prolific early-season offense.

Baker Mayfield engineered the game-winning drive to lift the Buccaneers over the Texans 20-19, erasing a 19-14 deficit with a late surge and a gutsy fourth-down scramble. The run game sparked Tampa Bay, with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White combining for 136 yards and White punching in the decisive score. Houston’s offense stalled despite a strong defensive effort; CJ Stroud struggled under pressure, and Houston’s kicking misfires kept the game close until the end.

Shilo Sanders, an undrafted Tampa Bay safety, was ejected for throwing a punch at Bills punter Zach Davidson in the Buccaneers preseason finale. Davidson, a 6-7, 251-pound ball winner who stepped in for an ill Brad Robbins, was involved in a backfield scuffle after a Shane Buechele to Elijah Moore sequence. The incident underscores Sanders roster grind and adds a cautionary note for TB depth and Bills special teams.