Bucs Rule Out Starter, Elevate Another For Week 16

The Bucs will be missing another key starter for Sunday night’s primetime matchup against the Cowboys, as tight end Cade Otton has been ruled out due to a knee injury, the team announced on Saturday afternoon.

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

It’s a tough blow for the Tampa Bay offense, particularly with Otton’s significant role in the offense since midseason. Despite a decrease in production after Mike Evans’ return following the bye week, the third-year tight end has recorded 59 catches for 600 yards (10.2 avg.) and four touchdowns this season — all career highs.

Otton’s improvement as a blocker has been instrumental in the Bucs’ running game revival this season, as outlined by Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo earlier on Saturday. Queipo highlighted Otton’s contributions in Tampa Bay’s rushing attack:

“In short, Otton’s improvement this year has been in just about every facet of the game, both obvious and non-obvious,” Queipo wrote. “And if he is absent on Sunday it could have a real impact on how the Bucs run the ball.”

So, how will Tampa Bay’s running game fare against a Dallas defense that ranks among the worst against the run despite recent improvements? Queipo explained what offensive coordinator Liam Coen may do with tight end Payne Durham, who will step in for Otton.

Bucs TEs Payne Durham and Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“This is all to say there is a good chance that if Cade Otton can’t go on Sunday night in Dallas, the Bucs may make some tweaks to how they run the football. That’s not to say they will be less successful, mind you,” Queipo wrote. “But in thinking through the pros and cons of Payne Durham’s skillset as a blocker, if Coen were to remain true to his “players over plays” mantra, then he may stick with the team’s successful gap system but adjust what type of gap plays they run.

“To maximize Durham’s skillset, the Bucs will likely motion him in split flow or as a wrapper less, and ask him to base block, seal the strong side edge, or double team more. That most likely means more duo blocks. It also means the team can still run counter trey that worked so well against the Chargers last week.”

You can read Josh Queipo’s full deep dive here, with analysis on Otton’s improvements as a blocker, as well as Durham’s strengths and what Tampa Bay may look to do with its ground game on Sunday night.

Bucs Elevate Punter For A Third Time

Bucs P Jack Browning – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In addition to ruling out Cade Otton for Sunday’s game, the Bucs have also announced the elevation of punter Jack Browning from the practice squad for the third consecutive week.

Browning was not very busy in last Sunday’s win over the Chargers as the Bucs did not punt at all. However, he handles kickoff duties for Tampa Bay, so he did not have the entire afternoon off in Los Angeles.

In his debut with the Buccaneers the previous week, Browning punted three times for a gross average of 42.7 yards.

Browning is the third punter for the Bucs this season, following Jake Camarda and Trenton Gill. With this being his third elevation from the practice squad, he has hit the limit. If Tampa Bay wants to keep him for Week 17 and beyond, they will need to sign him to the active roster.

Whether Sunday night will be Browning’s final opportunity to prove himself or the team has already made up their mind, remains to be seen.