This has definitely been one of the toughest years for the Bucks in recent seasons from an injury standpoint. Not only are they dealing with major injuries to their most important players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but they’ve already lost several players for the season, with others on injured reserve for some time. will enter.
Bucs OLB Marquise Watts – Photo by Jeffrey Jones/PR
Already missing for the season are inside linebacker Sarvosia Dennis (shoulder) and almost certainly Godwin (ankle). The Bucs had to weather the storm of Kariya Kansi’s absence for the first five games of the season, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and left tackle Luke Goedeke missed four games. Wide receiver Rakim Jarrett also just returned from knee surgery.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen Evans sidelined along with receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle) and outside linebacker Marquise Watts (quad) placed on injured reserve. Another wide receiver, Cody Thompson, was a standout in training camp and finally got a chance to be promoted from the practice squad, but ended up going on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
And of course, the biggest blow to the team in terms of players on IR will be starting cornerback Jamel Dean, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 against the Saints and has at least one more game before returning. must be absent.
Todd Bowles provides Bucks players with IR update
This long list is not here to upset Bucks fans, but rather to remind everyone that sometimes help can come to the Bucks. this week, tod bowles We’ve provided updates on various players for when we see them play again. We’ll start with the most important player on the defense, cornerback Jamel Dean. He will be eligible to return after the bye week when the Bucks play the Giants.
Bucks CB Jamel Dean – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“I hope so,” Bowles said. “I hope so, he’s getting better. We’ll see how he runs next week and make a better decision.”
Dean was scheduled to run privately on a different field during Thursday’s practice, so Bowles could watch. The Bucs are in a difficult situation with Bryce Hall out for the season after suffering a foot injury in Week 1, and then Dean’s issues.
This means second-year corner Josh Hayes and undrafted rookie free agent Tyreke Funderburk will start opposite Zion McCollum. Each of these players has been beaten pretty badly as opponents consistently target them with favorable matchups.
While Dean’s news is somewhat optimistic, it doesn’t look as good for practice squad wide receiver Cody Thompson.
“He has a long-term injury right now,” Bowles said. “He won’t be back anytime soon.”
Bucks HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
While Thompson’s departure was tough, the Bucks were fortunate to get sporadic contributions from another practice squad player, Ryan Miller. Miller scored the game-tying touchdown on Monday night. Of course, Sterling Shepard became the de facto No. 1 receiver, with Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer filling in.
Outside linebacker has been a big topic of discussion for the Bucs this season. They haven’t gotten the production they expected from Yaya Diaby, while others like Joe Tryon-Soyinka and newcomer Chris Braswell haven’t stepped up at all in terms of production.
Given the way things are going, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to give Marquise Watts some reps if he’s available. From what I’ve heard from Bowles, it’s unclear when he will return.
Regarding whether Watts will have a practice slot open, Bowles said, “I don’t know if I’m hopeful yet.” “I don’t think that will happen this week because we haven’t been told to expect that.”
Other Bucks injury updates
In addition to long-term injuries to players who have been placed on injured reserve, the Bucks also have players who have missed games and are not expected to be out for an extended period of time. Two of those players, in particular, are rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan and veteran defensive tackle Greg Gaines.
McMillan had already missed two games in Weeks 4 and 5 with a hamstring injury. He then missed Monday Night Football’s game against the Chiefs in Week 9 due to a hamstring test during warmups. Gaines has missed the last two games with a calf injury.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
The good news is that each player was seen in practice Thursday, albeit in a walk-through. There’s no guarantee they’ll play yet. Week 10 At home against the 49ers.
“Yes, they are questionable,” Bowles said. “We’ll have to see how they go this week, but they’re feeling a little better.”
Mr. Bowles also elaborated further on Mr. McMillan’s situation.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Bowles said. “Friday took a turn for the worst and it hasn’t gotten better yet. We’re waiting to see how he feels.”
There are questions throughout the wide receiver room whether the new offense with Liam Cohen, which requires more pre-snap movement from players, may have led to some of these injuries. The top three receivers and fifth-string receivers are all injured, and no one other than McMillan will be back anytime soon. does that matter?
“I don’t think so,” Bowles said. “He was out with a hamstring injury a while ago. It just happened on Friday. He was doing cleanly. [well]. It was the red zone and the goal line, so it wasn’t all that difficult. [periods]. It was just one of those things. ”
