The Bucs introduced on Friday night that they’ve positioned sturdy security Jordan Whitehead on injured reserve due to a pectoral damage. Whitehead can be out for Tampa Bay’s subsequent 4 video games and will doubtlessly make it again for both residence recreation to shut out the season with a Week 17 recreation in opposition to the Panthers or Week 18 going through the Saints.
Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
To fill out the 53-man roster, the Bucs have activated inside linebacker Vi Jones from the follow squad. Jones has been on the follow squad earlier than and is becoming a member of a linebacker room that noticed much less enjoying time than every week in the past.
Bucs Security Room With out Jordan Whitehead
Whitehead had but to overlook a recreation this season, however has performed by way of various accidents, together with a groin damage that took him out earlier within the Thursday evening recreation in opposition to the Falcons. In the course of the season he has recorded 47 tackles, two tackles for loss and three cross breakups. He was injured int he second half of Tampa Bay’s 30-7 win over the Giants. Quarterback Tommy DeVito was sprinting in the direction of the purpose line when Whitehead made the deal with and instantly grabbed him arm after and didn’t get again into the sport.
It turns into a query mark for the way the Bucs will make the most of their defensive again setup for Sunday’s recreation. Tampa Bay had extra dime packages in opposition to the Giants final week. Tykee Smith is out once more, so Tampa Bay is down one other good participant. Taking Whitehead and Smith out means they should fill the sturdy security and nickel spot, and who’s that sixth defensive again to belief on the sector along with everybody else.
Bucs S Jordan Whitehead – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Contemplating Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean are at corners, the Bucs not less than had the assistance of Izien as a backup and since buying Edwards, utilizing him is separate methods. However with two out, Todd Bowles will determine who performs at security and who’s within the slot.
Tavierre Thomas, Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk is also one other defender. Thomas has been implausible on particular groups, however hasn’t performed a lot on protection. Hayes and Funderburk have bumped into their points but it surely doesn’t essentially imply but that the Bucs are accomplished with them given the scenario of their personnel in the intervening time.
Tampa Bay has proven earlier than that they’ve with various accidents earlier than. They want each win down the stretch, particularly on Sunday in opposition to the Panthers, to get them to a NFC-leading greatest 5 instances in a row the place they’ve made the postseason.
