Devante Bond missed all of last season with an injury, but looked good in his return, however, the injury bug seems to have found him, and the team, once again. Bond looked so good in his return to the team this year, that he was a shoe-in for the starting role at strongside linebacker. Friday night, Bond suffered a sprained PCL in his knee. Although this injury isn’t great and takes quite some time to heal, it could have been much worse. As of now, there is still a strong belief that Bond could be back for week one, against the Dolphins.
In the meantime, Kendell Beckwith will get the chance to stake his claim to the position. Beckwith gets his first game action at strongside LB against the Jaguars on Thursday. Beckwith has trained to play as a backup to both, the middle linebacker and strongside linebacker positions. Dirk Koetter believes Beckwith will learn these two roles just fine and become a threat in the nickel package. Beckwith has already shown signs of toughness by overcoming a torn ACL last year. Following an impressive training camp, Beckwith took over 30 snaps in the first preseason game, recording 3 huge tackles and a sack.
Russell Hansbrough finds himself in concussion protocol following Friday’s game and is unlikely to suit up for Thursday game vs the Jags, he should, however, be ready to go against the Cleveland Browns in the third preseason game. Fingers crossed for his speedy recovery. Hansborough being down will allow Quayvon Hicks and Blake Sims more playing time.
Ali Marpet has an ankle injury, which the team does not believe to be serious, but it is something they are going to watch over the coming days and weeks.
Donteea Dye also has an ankle injury causing him to miss the preseason opener.
Ryan Griffin injured his right shoulder during Friday’s game. Due to this being his throwing shoulder, it will take quite some time to heal and the team will need to heed a lot of precautions in doing so. I don’t think the team is counting on his return the remainder of the preseason.
Despite throwing an interception and having a fumble, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick should win the backup role for week one with ease. Despite his many flaws, he did score the only Buccaneers TD Friday night. Last but not least, Brent Grimes. Grimes is still healing from that nasty laceration on his right shin but hopes to return week one and all indications are that he will. Grimes being out will allow the second-year man, Ryan Smith, to get in more of the action.
Although the team suffered more than a few injuries during training camp and the first preseason game, not many of them seem as though they will have lingering effects.
Edited by Harmeet Kapur
