There’s little question this has been one of many harder years from an damage standpoint in current seasons for the Bucs. They’re not solely coping with main accidents to their most necessary gamers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however they’ve already misplaced a number of gamers for the season whereas others will likely be on injured reserve for some time.
Bucs OLB Markees Watts – Photograph by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
Misplaced for the season already is inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis (shoulder) and nearly actually Godwin (ankle). The Bucs have needed to climate the storm of lacking Calijah Kancey for the primary 5 video games of the season, whereas security Antoine Winfield Jr. and left deal with Luke Goedeke missed 4. Large receiver Rakim Jarrett additionally simply got here again after getting surgical procedure on his knee.
In current weeks we’ve seen Evans exit together with receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle) and out of doors linebacker Markees Watts (quad) go on injured reserve. One other huge receiver Cody Thompson, who was a coaching camp standout, lastly had a chance to get elevated from the apply squad however he ended up injuring his shoulder and happening injured reserve.
And naturally, seemingly the most important blow to the group by way of gamers on IR is beginning cornerback Jamel Dean, who injured his hamstring in Week 6 in opposition to the Saints and must be out for a least another sport earlier than returning.
Todd Bowles Provides An Replace For Bucs Gamers On IR
This lengthy checklist isn’t on right here to upset Bucs followers, however slightly to remind all people that assist might be on the way in which for the Bucs in some circumstances. This week, Todd Bowles offered an replace on numerous gamers for once we can see them enjoying once more. We’ll begin with a very powerful participant to his protection, cornerback Jamel Dean, who could be eligible to return after the bye week when the Bucs play the Giants.
Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: USA At this time
“I’m hoping so,” Bowles mentioned. “I’m hoping so, he’s getting higher. We’ll see how he’s working subsequent week and I’ll have a greater dedication on it.”
Dean ended up working individually on a separate area throughout Thursday’s apply, so Bowles was capable of get a glance. The Bucs have been hit exhausting a nook with Bryce Corridor being out for the entire season after a leg damage in Week 1, adopted by Dean’s situation.
This has meant that second-year nook Josh Hayes and undrafted rookie free agent Tyrek Funderburk have stepped in to begin reverse of Zyon McCollum. Every of these gamers have been crushed fairly badly as opponents continuously decide on them with advantageous matchups.
Whereas the information on Dean offers some optimism, the it doesn’t sound pretty much as good with apply squad huge receiver Cody Thompson.
“He has a long-term damage proper now,” Bowles mentioned. “He gained’t be again any time quickly.”
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
A troublesome break from Thompson, however fortunately for the Bucs they’ve been capable of get sporadic contributions from Ryan Miller, who was one other apply squad participant. Miller scored the sport tying landing on Monday night time. After all Sterling Shepard has grow to be their de facto primary receiver, and Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer have pitched in.
Outdoors linebacker has been a giant level of dialogue for the Bucs this seaosn. They’re not precisely getting the manufacturing they anticipated out of Yaya Diaby, whereas others like Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and rookie Chris Braswell haven’t precisely stepped up by way of manufacturing.
The way in which issues are going, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of potentialities to provide Markees Watts some reps if he have been out there. By the way it sounded from Bowles, it’s up within the air on when he’ll come again.
“I don’t know if I’ll count on that but,” Bowles mentioned on in the event that they’ll open Watts’ apply window. “I haven’t been informed to count on that, so I don’t suppose that’ll be this week.”
Updates On Different Bucs Accidents
Outdoors of long-term accidents for participant on injured reserve, the Bucs even have gamers which have missed some video games that aren’t anticipated to be out for an prolonged time frame. Two of these gamers particularly are rookie huge receiver Jalen McMillan and veteran defensive deal with Greg Gaines.
McMillan had already missed two video games in Weeks 4 and 5 with a hamstring damage. Then he wasn’t capable of go in Week 9 on Monday Evening Soccer in opposition to the Chiefs after testing the hamstring out throughout warmups. Gaines has missed the final two video games with a calf damage.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The excellent news is that every participant was seen at apply on Thursday, though it was a walk-through. It’s not a assure simply but that they’re enjoying in Week 10 in opposition to the 49ers at house.
“They’re questionable, sure,” Bowles mentioned. “I’ve to see what they do that week, however they’re feeling slightly higher.”
Bowles additionally went into additional element about McMillan’s state of affairs.
“It’s simply aggravated,” Bowles mentioned. “It took a flip for the more serious Friday, and it didn’t get any higher but. We’re ready to see how he feels.”
There’s been questions throughout the entire huge receiver room that if the brand new offense with Liam Coen, which requires much more pre-snap movement from gamers, has led to a few of these accidents. Their high three receivers and their fifth string receivers are all harm and out of doors of McMillan, none of them are coming again quickly. Is that an issue?
“I don’t suppose so,” Bowles mentioned. “He missed a while earlier with a hamstring. It simply occurred on Friday. He was doing fairly [well]. It’s not prefer it was an total exhausting factor to do, as a result of it was pink zone and aim line [periods]. It was simply a type of issues.”
