‘There’s too many to name’ – Bucs players are dropping like flies and Bucky Irving could be one of them
The Bucs just can’t catch a break.
Another year, another catastrophic round of injuries for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Except this time, it’s happening a lot earlier in the year. The Bucs returned Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin Jr. heading into their Week 4 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the football gods leveled the playing field by adding more injuries to Todd Bowles’ plate.
Several players are getting MRIs, too, which is a potential sign of an extensive injury. There are so many getting tests – Bowles couldn’t list them all when he spoke to reporters on Monday after the game. However, he did mention star running back Bucky Irving is one of the many undergoing an MRI when directly asked about Irving’s status.
“There are quite a few, I can’t even name them all. quite a few,” Bowles told reporters. “[We’re] still processing the information … so it’s going to be probably not till later on this afternoon.
“… Yeah, he’s one.”
Irving took several big hits and even came out of the game for a quick stint before returning and finishing the matchup. Nothing seemed serious at the time and the Bucs are hoping it stays that way, but Bowles’ concern doesn’t add any optimism to the situation.
Bucs suffer multiple injuries at corner, too
It’s obviously going to be a huge blow if Irving misses time. He’s a big play waiting to happen and is a focal part of the Bucs offense.
The Bucs defense suffered some blows against the Eagles, too. Cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison left the game early due to groin and hamstring injuries, respectively. Soft-tissue injuries typically result in missed time, so the initial outlook doesn’t look good for them. The key with these guys is they were rotating at outside cornerback, so the Bucs will be down two guys at one position if both have to sit on the sidelines.
Bowles confirmed both players are receiving MRIs. If they can’t go and Christian Izien remains out, the Bucs secondary is going to be woefully undermanned against the Seattle Seahawks’ passing attack in Week 5.
Defensive lineman Greg Gaines hurt his pec and could miss time, too. That would be yet another blow to the defensive line, as Calijah Kancey is out for the year with his own pectoral injury.
No matter where you look, the Bucs are getting hit with key injuries. They were already behind the 8-ball to begin with this and all the new occurrences obviously don’t help as they try and dig out of this hole.
Bowles and the Bucs can preach “next man up” all they want, but all that becomes is a mantra once the injuries cross a certain threshold. Based on what’s already happening, the Bucs could easily cross that line and it’s going to be hard to keep pace with their Super Bowl expectations if they do.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
Todd Bowles is re-living a nightmare he thought he escaped, and it will cost the Bucs more games if it’s not fixed
The Bucs officially have a big problem on their hands.
