Bucs And Seahawks Are Each Without Key Players For Sunday

The final injury report of the week came out for the Bucs and Seahawks on Friday and each team is particularly hurting in the secondary.

Tampa Bay will be without starting corner Jamel Dean, who has the the Bucs’ only interception on the season, which happened to go for a pick-six, along with backup rookie Benjamin Morrison. Seattle is without their starting corner Devon Witherspoon and starting safety Julian Love along with linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence on the defensive side.

Though not surprising considering he was in a walking boot and crutches earlier in the week, but talented Bucs running back Bucky Irving will not be available for the game. It’ll be Rachaad White getting the start with Sean Tucker also having some opportunities. This could also signify the career debut of rookie undrafted running back LSU Josh Williams, who could be the kick returner taking over Tucker with his expanded role.

Bucs RB Rachaad White and WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: USA Today

While Irving wasn’t seen at practice at all, Dean was out there each day and even ran individually on Friday. Morrison came out to watch practice every day but was not moving like Dean was.

The Bucs have a couple of choices that they could go with outside corner opposite of Zyon McCollum.

“I feel great,” Todd Bowles said sarcastically about not having Dean or Morrison available in the game. “[It] might be [Jacob] Parrish, might be [Kindle] Vildor, might be [Josh] Hayes, [just] depending on the packages.”

The odds are that it would be Parrish playing on the outside because the Seahawks use a lot of two tight end sets, meaning the Bucs won’t need the nickel corner as much. Parrish has been great this season, so it makes sense to have him on the field for the whole game like Tampa Bay does with their outside corners.

Bucs NCB Jacob Parrish and CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ideally the plan would be to play Parrish on the outside, and then if the Bucs moving to a nickel defense, Parrish would play in the slot and the Bucs could have either Kindle Vildor outside or they can call up Bryce Hall from the practice squad and he can play that position.

The Bucs will have options and still have a good chance to win despite who isn’t in for Sunday. Here is Friday’s injury report for the Bucs and Seahawks before their game this weekend.

Bucs Friday Injury Report

Jamel Dean – Hip – Did Not Participate – OutMike Evans – Hamstring – Did Not Participate – OutBucky Irving – Foot/Shoulder – Did Not Participate – OutChristian Izien – Quad – Did Not Participate – OutBenjamin Morrison – Hamstring – Did Not Participate – OutLavonte David – Knee – Limited ParticipationGreg Gaines – Pectoral – Full ParticipationChris Godwin Jr. – Ankle – Full ParticipationLogan Hall – Groin – Full ParticipationCharlie Heck – Knee – Full Participation

Bucs OT Charlie Heck – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Baker Mayfield – Knee/Right Biceps – Full ParticipationZyon McCollum – Thumb – Full ParticipationHaason Reddick – Neck – Full ParticipationSterling Shepard – Foot – Full ParticipationTykee Smith – Ankle – Full ParticipationTristan Wirfs – Knee – Full Participation

Seahawks Friday Injury Report

Josh Jones – Ankle – Did Not Participate – OutDeMarcus Lawrence – Quad – Did Not Participate – OutJulian Love – Hamstring – Did Not Participate – OutDevon Witherspoon – Knee – Did Not Participate – OutNick Emmanwori – Ankle – Full ParticipationByron Murphy – Back – Limited ParticipationCody White – Shoulder – Full Participation