Injuries to key players seemed to be a given for the Bucks this season. But it’s a little different when it’s arguably their best player.
For the second time this season, the Bucs will be without safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for multiple games. As head coach Todd Bowles said Monday, Winfield has sprained his knee and will be out for “some time.” When I asked him what that meant specifically, he said several games.
Bucks FS Antwon Winfield Jr. and Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Winfield was ejected relatively early after the Bucks’ 28-13 win over the Raiders yesterday. Plays just 16 snaps in the game. This means Tampa Bay will be without its top two safeties in Winfield and Jordan Whitehead for at least the next two games against the Chargers and Cowboys.
Whitehead was placed on injured reserve on November 29 after suffering a chest injury during a tackle with Tommy DeVito during the Bucks-Giants game a few weeks ago. He will be eligible to return from injured reserve after the Cowboys game.
With four games remaining, Tampa Bay may have hope that Winfield can return for the final game of the season against the Saints at Raymond James Stadium. If not, it would make sense to put him on injured reserve to free up a spot on the roster. It’s been a tough season for Winfield from an injury standpoint.
He suffered a foot injury late in the season opener against the Commanders and was sidelined from Weeks 2 to 5. This time, a knee injury could keep him out for just as long.
Panthers WR Xavier Leggett and Bucs FS Antwon Winfield Jr. – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks have already made some safety-focused moves in recent weeks. On Sunday, they used a few safeties after Winfield was ejected, rotating Tykie Smith, Christian Idzien, Kayvon Merriweather and Tavierre Thomas.
Mike Edwards is also on the active roster, but he missed this game after injuring his hamstring last week in Carolina.
Tampa Bay also has a practice squad option. They just recently signed Ryan Neal and also have Marcus Banks and Rashad Wisdom who could be promoted on game day if needed. No matter what they decide, it will be a tough battle without Winfield at the back end of the defense.
Bucky Irving injury update
The news got a little better when it came to the latest on Bucs running back Bucky Irving. The rookie sensation tried to overcome a back injury Sunday, but was sidelined after just 10 snaps. Depending on his recovery, he could play in Week 15.
Bucks RB Bucky Irving – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s tough. We need to see how he feels,” Bowles said. “If we can loosen it up, he should be fine. If not, let’s see what happens this week.”
Tampa Bay has good depth at running back if Irving can’t go, but he adds another element to the Bucs’ ground game. Ratchard White He improved a lot in Sunday’s game. He ran for 90 yards on 17 attempts and scored one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. It was the first time in White’s career that he scored on a rushing and receiving score in the same game.
Sean Tucker also came close to the goal line with a big 34-yard run in the fourth quarter that essentially ended the game. White scored from 3 yards out on the next play.
Tampa Bay is very talented, and the duo of White and Tucker will face a tough Chargers defense this week. Irving and White already have a fair amount of rotation intact. We’ll find out later this week how well Irving will be available in Los Angeles on Sunday.
