In a season the place accidents have come at each flip, it feels just like the Bucs are getting good harm information for the primary time in fairly some time. Tampa Bay introduced on Monday that they’ve opened up the 21-day apply window for beginning cornerback Jamel Dean to come back off of injured reserve. Dean may be activated to the energetic roster at any time over the subsequent three weeks.
Dean has missed the earlier 4 video games as a consequence of a hamstring harm. The 4 video games are the minimal quantity of video games required to be out for when putting a participant on injured reserve, plus he beneficial properties an additional week with the Bucs on a bye. He was initially damage in Week 6 when the Bucs defeated the Saints 51-27 on the street. Dean exited the sport early in that one, enjoying simply 10 defensive snaps.
Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: USA As we speak
Bucs Protection Will get A Big Enhance
The return of Dean comes at a welcomed time. The Bucs are gearing up for a playoff run and primarily have to both win out or go 6-1 down the stretch. Amongst a number of components for why Tampa Bay has gotten right into a 4-6 gap, the poor defensive play, particularly within the passing sport, is on the prime of the listing.
Ranked thirtieth within the league with 389.3 yards allowed per sport and in addition thirtieth with 264.1 passing yards allowed per sport, Tampa Bay simply hasn’t had the solutions to get stops when crucial. Though the Bucs have gotten good play from beginning cornerback Zyon McCollum, that has not been the case on the opposite facet.
Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R
As soon as Dean was out, Tampa Bay went with rookie undrafted free agent Tyrek Funderburk to start out for the subsequent two video games. When he struggled, the Bucs opted for Josh Hayes, who didn’t give a lot better outcomes. Opponents repeatedly picked on whoever was on that facet and it consistently damage the protection.
Of their final sport in opposition to the 49ers, McCollum tweaked a hamstring late that means that Hayes and Funderburk had been on collectively as the 2 corners. It wasn’t all their fault, however San Francisco was in a position to drive down the sector in a bit of over 40 seconds to arrange the game-winning subject aim and win. One may solely surprise how it will’ve gone if Dean and McCollum had been out there.
Dean has 43 tackles and 4 move breakups in six video games this season. He won’t save the Bucs, however he definitely makes them a greater group with him in. Tampa Bay has but to report an interception since that sport in opposition to the Saints when Dean final performed, so possibly his return may assist spark a play arising of their subsequent sport.
