The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took another tough hit to their already thin defense on Sunday.Â
As CBS Sports noted, Cornerback Jamel Dean exited early in the loss to the Buffalo Bills with a hip injury.Â
Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday that Dean is considered day-to-day with a hip flexor strain and will be evaluated throughout the week. Â
Greg Auman later added that Bowles didnât name specifics but confirmed that several players are also awaiting test results for new injuries.
Dean played only two defensive snaps before leaving the game against the Bills on Sunday.Â
The veteran corner entered Week 11 ranked by Pro Football Focus as the highest-graded cornerback in the league (90.5) and had allowed a league-low 29.7 passer rating when targeted.Â
His absence forced rookie Benjamin Morrison into a bigger role, and Buffalo wasted no time in taking advantage.Â
Dean will need to prove he can practice as the week progresses before the team determines whether he can go against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.
With Puka Nacua and Devante Adams and an aggressive Rams passing game on deck, the timing couldnât be worse.Â
Deanâs Absence Exposed the Buccaneersâ Secondary
The moment Dean went down, the entire complexion of the Buccaneersâ defense changed.
The Bills attacked Morrison right away, and the rookie simply wasnât ready for the volume of targets that came his way.Â
He gave up a deep touchdown to Tyrell Shavers and became a focal point for Josh Allen in a game where Buffaloâs offense found its rhythm early.
The ripple effect was obvious: without Dean locking down one side of the field, Tampa Bayâs coverage busts piled up and the Bills scored 44 points.Â
It is the most the Buccaneers have allowed all season.Â
The defense lost the physicality and stability Dean normally brings to the perimeter as Tampa Bay gave up multiple explosive plays.Â
Injuries Continue to Shape the Buccaneersâ Season
Deanâs latest setback adds to a long list of injuries that have continued to pile up for the Bucs.Â
This year alone, Tampa Bay has dealt with injuries across all levels of the defense, multiple offensive starters missing time, and constant lineup shuffling.Â
On the offensive side of the ball Bucky Irving has been out since the Week 4 matchup against the Eagles.Â
Their wide receiver core has also been depleted.Â
Chris Godwin has only played in two games this year while Jalen McMillan has yet to step foot on the field yet this season.Â
Additionally, future hall of fame receiver Mike Evans has only played in three full games this season and has been out since October 20th.Â
On the defensive side of the ball, guys like Vita Vea and Haason Reddick have dealt with injuries this season.Â
The Buccaneers restructured Deanâs contract this offseason in part because of the reliability concerns.Â
But for now, the team needs him more than ever.Â
The Ramsâ receiving corps presents one of the toughest matchups on the schedule, and Morrison isnât ready for a full-time role.
If Dean canât play, the Bucs face a major challenge in a game that could shape the NFC playoff race and carry real weight in their tight battle with the Panthers for the division.
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