Multiple Bucs Are Banged Up In The Secondary

Tristan Wirfs isn’t the only player dealing with an injury from the Bucs last game. In fact, most of Tampa Bay’s secondary went down at some point in their 23-17 overtime loss to Cleveland.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III – Photo by: USA Today

While cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean were both hurt at moments in the game, it seems that they came out unscathed. The same can’t be said for Antoine Winfield Jr., Sean Murphy-Bunting and Mike Edwards.

Winfield left a portion of the game as he was in concussion protocol. This was obviously a concern since Winfield had missed Week 8 and 9 with the same injury, returning in Week 10. Then he suffered a separate injury, which Todd Bowles updated the media on.

“He has an ankle sprain as well,” Bowles said.  “We’ll see how feels during the week.”

The worst news, though, is that even with an extra day to recover because the Bucs play against the Saints on Monday night football, Winfield still might not be ready.

“I don’t know if he’s going to be able to play or not at this time,” Bowles said.

Not the news any Bucs fan wants to hear.

More Injuries To Bucs In The Secondary

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

Some other defensive backs that sustained new injuries were Murphy-Bunting and Edwards. Though there wasn’t an exact moment where Murphy-Bunting was hurt, Edwards was seen grabbing his knee after a play in the second half.

“Sean has a contusion and Mike Edwards has a contusion,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how they feel. It will be day by day and we’ll see how they feel at the end of the week.”

Due to the myriad of injuries the Bucs had to deal with on Sunday, Dee Delaney and rookie Zyon McCollum were both put into the game and played 11 and 10 snaps. Tampa Bay might be without their best defender with Winfield and more key players such as Edwards as they attempt to sweep the season series against the Saints.

This comes at a bad time with the Bucs clinging on to the NFC South division lead.