It appears like this season that accidents to essential gamers has been par for the course for the Bucs this 12 months. However when it’s arguably their finest participant, it hits just a little totally different.
For the second time this season, the Bucs are going to be with out security Antoine Winfield Jr. for a number of video games. As head coach Todd Bowles mentioned on Monday, Winfield has a sprained knee and can miss “a little while.” When requested about what that meant particularly, he mentioned a few video games.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt – Picture by: USA As we speak
Winfield left yesterday’s 28-13 win for the Bucs over the Raiders comparatively early after enjoying simply 16 snaps within the sport. Which means Tampa Bay can be with out its prime two safeties in Winfield and Jordan Whitehead for no less than the subsequent two video games developing towards the Chargers and Cowboys.
Whitehead went on injured reserve on November 29 resulting from a pectoral harm he suffered whereas tackling Tommy DeVito within the Bucs’ 30-7 victory over the Giants a couple of weeks in the past. He’s eligible to come back off of injured reserve after the Cowboys sport.
With 4 video games to go, Tampa Bay may need some hope that Winfield can get again for the season finale towards the Saints at residence in Raymond James Stadium. If not, then it will make sense to place him on injured reserve as effectively and open up a roster spot. It’s been a tricky season for Winfield from an harm standpoint.
He bought damage with a foot harm very late within the sport of the season opener towards the Commanders that stored him on the shelf from Weeks 2 by way of 5. This time a knee harm might preserve him out for doubtlessly simply as lengthy.
Panthers WR Xavier Legette and Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Picture by: USA As we speak
The Bucs had already been making strikes with security in latest weeks. They used a number of safeties on Sunday after Winfield went out by rotating Tykee Smith, Christian Izien, Kaevon Merriweather and Tavierre Thomas.
In addition they have Mike Edwards on the energetic roster, however he missed this sport with a hamstring harm he suffered in Carolina the earlier week.
Tampa Bay has choices on the observe squad, too. They only lately signed Ryan Neal and now have Marcus Banks and Rashad Knowledge that may all be elevated for sport days if crucial. No matter what they resolve, it’s going to be robust sledding with out Winfield on the again finish of the protection.
Bucs Harm Replace On Bucky Irving
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s tightened up, we got to see how he feels,” Bowles mentioned. “If we can get it loosened up, he should be okay. If not, we’ll see how the week goes.”
Tampa Bay has glorious depth at working again if Irving is just not in a position to go, though he provides a unique aspect to the Bucs’ floor sport. Rachaad White stepped up in an enormous means throughout Sunday’s sport, speeding for 90 yards on 17 makes an attempt with a speeding landing and a receiving landing. That was the primary time in White’s profession that he scored by speeding and receiving in the identical sport.
Sean Tucker additionally helped out on the finish having an enormous 34-yard run within the fourth quarter to get close to the aim line and basically put the sport away. White scored on the subsequent play from three yards out.
Tampa Bay could be very succesful with White and Tucker as a duo going up towards a tricky Chargers protection this week. Irving and White already rotate a superb quantity as it’s. We will see throughout the week how obtainable Irving will be on Sunday in Los Angeles.
