The Bucs’ secondary will probably be shorthanded for Monday’s sport and a notable stretch past that. Cornerback Jamel Dean was positioned on injured reserve Monday, per a team announcement.
Dean is coping with a hamstring harm, and a multi-week absence was recently floated as a possibility. Monday’s transfer ensures he will probably be sidelined for a minimum of the subsequent 4 video games, one thing which will probably be acutely felt on the cornerback spot for Tampa Bay. Dean has remained a full-time starter in 2024, his sixth season with the Buccaneers.
The previous third-rounder noticed a notable bounce in taking part in time throughout the 2020 marketing campaign, and since then he has been a staple within the secondary. Particularly with Carlton Davis being traded away within the offseason, Dean’s presence has been key this 12 months. He has amassed 43 tackles and 4 go deflections whereas not permitting a landing in protection. With Tampa Bay rating twenty ninth towards the go this 12 months, shedding a first-team nook contributor will hinder the crew’s capability to enhance over the quick time period.
2022 fifth-rounder Zyon McCollum has handed beginning duties this season, and he will probably be counted on to stay a central determine on Tampa’s protection transferring ahead. Tykee Smith has had a robust rookie marketing campaign within the slot, however will probably be fascinating to see who takes over for Dean on the perimeter. Free-agent addition Bryce Hall is unsure to return this season after he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in Week 2. With Dean now out of the image, the crew’s CB depth will probably be examined.
Along with Dean, undrafted rookie receiver Kameron Johnson has been moved to IR. The latter has made 4 appearances this season, seeing rotational utilization on offense and particular groups. Bringing him again into the fold, simply as in Dean’s case, would require utilizing an in-season activation.
On that observe, the Bucs activated defensive finish Earnest Brown from IR in time for Monday’s contest towards the Ravens. Brown had his 21-day apply window opened on Oct. 9, so the crew had time to attend with respect to activating him, however he’ll now be positioned to make his season debut. Tampa Bay has six IR activations remaining.
