There was no better news for the Buccaneers when it came to an injury-riddled secondary, with starting cornerback Zion McCollum suffering a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Commanders and top backup cornerback Bryce Hall suffering a season-ending dislocated ankle and fractured fibula being another story.
But the Pewter Report said the Buccaneers’ All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Winfield was seen coming out of the locker room with a walking boot on his right foot after the win in Week 1. The team was hoping the injury would cause him to miss some practice time, but NFL insider Jordan Schultz said it would likely mean he would miss several weeks instead.
source: #Buccaneers All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. suffered a sprained ankle and foot in Sunday’s game. #Commander He’ll be out for a few weeks, a big loss but not the worst-case scenario.
Tampa Bay will travel to Detroit for a divisional round rematch in Week 2. pic.twitter.com/zF0aGKb5bt
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 9, 2024
Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman confirmed the injury, saying it was likely an ankle/foot sprain that would keep him out for three to four weeks. Pewter Report confirmed the report. Auman’s reporting is usually spot on, and Schultz has a very reliable track record with breaking news.
If “a couple” of games is two, I understand Antoine Winfield will likely miss three to four weeks with a sprained ankle/foot. It’s a tough loss for a suddenly depleted Buccaneers defense.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 9, 2024
A four-to-six week period is appropriate for ankle sprains. Buccaneers outside linebacker Yaya Diaby suffered a mild ankle sprain after the first week of training camp but was treated and did not have to walk around in a boot or brace. Diaby missed all three preseason games with the injury, a total of five weeks, but returned to practice before the 2024 season opener against Washington.
Todd Bowles discusses Antoine Winfield Jr.’s injury
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles spoke about Antoine Winfield Jr.’s ankle injury suffered during Tampa Bay’s 37-20 win over Washington on Sunday.
“He got hurt on one of the last two plays of the game,” Bowles said. “He was on the onside (kicking) team and he didn’t come in because he was onside (kicking) team. He’s pretty sore. We’ll see how he feels.”
“Obviously Wynn had the boot on, we’ll check on him later this week,” Bowles said in his post-game press conference on Monday, hours before Jordan Schultz reported the X.
Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo courtesy of USA Today
There’s no doubt this is a big blow for the Buccaneers, who are already dealing with multiple injuries on defense, including the absence of starting defensive tackles Kalijah Kansey and Logan Hall.
Antoine Winfield is the best player on the Buccaneers defense, having been selected as an All-Pro and being rewarded with a four-year, $84.1 million contract extension in the offseason, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL until Patrick Surtin recently signed a new deal with the Broncos.
Winfield is already off to a strong start in Week 1 of the season, recording seven tackles in Tampa Bay’s season-opening win, tied for second-most on the team, and his versatility in a variety of areas could help the Buccaneers defense reach another level and give Todd Bowles the keys to dictating different formations and schemes.
What will the Buccaneers do in the secondary?
Backup safety Christian Izien has already had to sit out Sunday’s game and play corner due to injuries at the position, and may have to move back to his more natural position if Winfield can’t play. next week Against the Lions.
Buccaneers DB Christian Izien – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
The Buccaneers have a lot of work to do. They’ll likely have to sign a cornerback outside the organization just to keep Izien at safety. They also have Tavierre Thomas, who can play anywhere to some extent, and Kayvon Merriweather, who will be the backup to Jordan Whitehead at strong safety.
Tampa Bay also has starting slot corner Tykee Smith, a former safety at Georgia State, in the starting lineup, so it may be best to keep the rookie at the position rather than hinder his development.
Bowles will have time this week to consider how he will position his defense against a Lions team that dominated his defense in both meetings last season.
Coming into the year, the Buccaneers bolstered their secondary with cornerbacks Bryce Hall, Tyreek Funderburk, Whitehead, Smith and Thomas. No one expected so many players to get injured so quickly in one game, including Tampa Bay’s best player, Winfield. But that’s the reality the Buccaneers now face.
