Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to start the season.
That was even more apparent after last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Brent Grimes, Chris Baker, Noah Spence, and Jacquies Smith were some of the players that were injured on Sunday. Luckily, there is some good news! None of the players listed suffered serious injury and all were back to fully particpating in practice and are likely to play this Sunday.
CB Brent Grimes injured his shoulder against the Chicago Bears and his absence from the game was more than a little obvious as the Vikings passing game shredded our depleted secondary. His return should make a huge difference in the secondary this Sunday.
Lavonte David is day to day, but his injury is likely to keep him from Sundays game against the Giants. Same applies for Kwon Alexander. These two guys are needed to bottle upVthe middle of the field, and it’s safe to say,their absence is going to hurt, a lot.
Safety T.J. Ward also left last week’s game with a injury, this one to his hip, and has yet to make an appearance at practice this week. He may return to practice today, but it’s looking likelier then not that he will be out for Sunday’s game. JR Sweezy, Robert Ayers and Gerald McCoy have been limited in practice this week.
Sweezy is listed on the injury report with a back injury, the same injury that kept him out last season. Ayers went down in the Vikings game with a knee injury, and the team will certainly be lacking of his veteran presence, attitude, and intense playing style. Ayers has only partially participated in practice, but he could very well be a go for Sunday. Gerald McCoy nursing an ankle injury that has kept him from fully participating in practice, but being that this is McCoy we are talking about, it would be a monumental surprise if he wasn’t suited up and ready to go on Sunday at Raymond James.
As we are all aware, Sunday is practically a must win for both teams. The Giants, at 0-3, need some good karma to go their way to turn the season around. Our Buccaneers need to come out with a sense of urgency and show they are worthy of the preseason hype.
If Tampa Bay loses to the 0-3 Giants on Sunday, with Tom Brady and the Patriots paying the bay area a visit next Thursday, our season could end before it has a chance to begin.
I firmly believe the Buccaneers will right the ship this Sunday. The players are angry, the front office is angry, the fans are angry. Last Sunday was forgettable, this Sunday, the Bucs will make it memorable.
Edited By: Harmeet Kapur
