Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffer another tough loss to a snakebit unit
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary has suffered an uncommon number of injuries this season, particularly at the safety spots. You can count another option out, and this time it's for the rest of the season. Defensive back Christian Izien was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, per team reporter Scott Smith. Izien, ironically, suffered a […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary has suffered an uncommon number of injuries this season, particularly at the safety spots.
You can count another option out, and this time it's for the rest of the season.
Defensive back Christian Izien was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, per team reporter Scott Smith.
Izien, ironically, suffered a pectoral injury during the Buccaneers' 26-24 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. That's ironic since Jordan Whitehead also suffered a pectoral injury – not the most common type – back on November 24 against the New York Giants that landed him on injured reserve. Whitehead's practice window opened on Tuesday to return from IR.
Izien has been a key member of the Bucs' defense this season, capable of playing both cornerback and safety. He's helped fill the void of losses by Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Whitehead this season, with reserve safety Mike Edwards also missing time recently with a hamstring injury.
He's totaled 75 tackles (1 short of Whitehead for second on the team), 4 tackles for loss, and an interception for the Bucs this season across 14 games in 10 starts.
We'll see what the Bucs will do to compensate for Izien's absence moving forward. Whitehead's return would help soften the blow of that loss. If he can return, the Bucs would be looking at a secondary of Whitehead and Mike Edwards at safety (until Winfield, Jr. returns), Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean on the outside, and Tykee Smith at nickel.
Izien would be eligible to return after four games, meaning not until the NFC Championship Game if the Bucs were to make it that far. Seeing Izien on the field again this season would mean Tampa Bay would be in the midst of a special run to end the season.
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