TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins' fourth preseason exhibition game in Tampa has been moved to Wednesday, Aug. 31, due to anticipated severe weather from Tropical Depression Nine.
The game was originally scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, but will now take place at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday at Raymond James Stadium.
"We have been in regular communication with administrators from the Tampa Sports Authority, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and the National Weather Service over the past day, as it has become apparent that the most severe weather associated with Tropical Depression Nine will likely make landfall on Thursday,'' Buccaneers chief operating officer Brian Ford said.
"This decision was made by both teams in conjunction with the National Football League and local authorities in an effort to ensure the safety of our fans, players and stadium staff.''
The center of the system is currently 240 miles west of Key West, Florida. According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, it is expected to become a tropical storm Tuesday with sustained winds of at least 39 mph.
Conditions indicate that the storm could reach central/northern Florida on Thursday, with the potential for tropical storm winds affecting much of Florida's Gulf coast.