The Bucs introduced two elevations from the observe squad on Saturday afternoon forward of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card matchup towards the Commanders at Raymond James Stadium.
The primary is veteran inside linebacker Deion Jones, who signed with Tampa Bay’s observe squad again in December. The ninth-year professional, who was initially drafted by the Falcons in 2016 and starred for Atlanta early in his profession, suited up in Weeks 17 and 18 for the Bucs, enjoying particular groups and recording one sort out.
Bucs WR Tanner Knue – Photograph by: USA As we speak
Whereas he could solely see time on particular groups as soon as once more on Sunday evening, Jones has some playoff expertise to his title, beginning 5 postseason video games and totaling 33 tackles (with three for a loss), 4 passes defensed, a compelled fumble and a quarterback hit.
The opposite elevation from the observe squad is rookie broad receiver Tanner Knue, who signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent final Could and spent the offseason, coaching camp and preseason with the workforce earlier than being launched and finally re-signing with the observe squad in October.
The Japanese Michigan product caught 9 passes for 86 yards and a landing over three preseason video games with Tampa Bay.
Jones stands a greater probability of being lively for Sunday evening’s sport than Knue does, however the vital factor for each is that they at the least get the chance to usher in a playoff sport test. The Bucs have used observe squad elevations as rewards for gamers up to now, each within the common season and the postseason. For instance, in final yr’s Wild Card Spherical, Tampa Bay elevated Jose Ramirez and Patrick Laird, and whereas each had been inactive, they nonetheless earned playoff sport checks.
Bucs Are Getting More healthy As Playoffs Start
Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R
For the Bucs, Saturday’s announcement was extra about who wasn’t elevated from the observe squad. The shortage of elevations exterior of Jones and Knue point out that Tampa Bay is way more healthy than it has been in latest weeks because it opens up the postseason at house on Sunday evening. This, after all, falls according to what head coach Todd Bowles stated following Friday’s observe.
Bowles stated that each cornerback Jamel Dean and security Antoine Winfield Jr. can be good to go for Sunday’s sport towards the Commanders, whereas tight finish Cade Otton was additionally trending in the correct course.
Dean left the Bucs’ 48-14 Week 17 win over the Panthers with a knee harm and missed the common season finale towards the Saints, however ought to be good to go for the Wild Card matchup towards Washington. Winfield has missed the final 4 video games of the common season with a knee harm of his personal, however he had every week filled with full participation in observe, so he’s able to return to motion as effectively.
Otton, who has additionally been coping with a knee harm and missed the ultimate three video games of the common season, was a restricted participant in Wednesday’s observe earlier than logging two practices as a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He formally has a “questionable” tag heading into Sunday, however it appears he’s on observe to play.
Keep tuned to PewterReport.com for continued pregame protection all all through Sunday afternoon and into the night, which is when full inactives lists for each groups will likely be launched. In fact, keep tuned for in-game and postgame protection as effectively.
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