Bucs All-Pro To Reportedly Miss Multiple Weeks With Foot Injury

The injury bug didn't waste any time before biting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.

Jan 9, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) recovers the ball the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images / Kim Klement-Imagn Images

When it rains, it pours.

Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off one of the most dominant season openers in franchise history, it wasn't all good news coming out of Tampa following the team's 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Two important members of the Bucs' secondary were injured in the game. First, starting cornerback Zyon McCollum was forced to leave the contest after suffering a suspected concussion. Later in the game, veteran corner Bryce Hall — playing in his first game as a Buccaneer — suffered a season-ending leg injury.

It wasn't until after the game that Tampa Bay's star safety, Antoine WInfield Jr., was spotted leaving the facility in a boot.

READ MORE: Baker Mayfield Surgical as Bucs Dismantle Commanders

Although Buccaneers' head coach, Todd Bowles, didn't offer any insight into the status of his star defensive player during his media availability on Monday, a report by NFL insider Jordan Schultz later in the day suggests the injury is an ankle/foot sprain that will require Winfield to miss the next several games.

Sources: #Buccaneers All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr suffered an ankle/foot sprain on Sunday vs the #Commanders and will miss a couple of weeks. A big loss, but not the worst case scenario.

Tampa Bay travels to Detroit for a Divisional Round rematch in Week 2. pic.twitter.com/zF0aGKb5bt

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 9, 2024

Assuming this report is accurate, it's a huge blow to a Bucs secondary that is already scrambling for healthy bodies, just one week into the 2024 season.

The Buccaneers will travel to Ford Field in Detroit for a much anticipated Divisional Round rematch with the Detroit Lions next Sunday. Tampa Bay was already going to have its hands full trying to contain Detroit's impressive cast of playmakers, which includes the likes of explosive skill position players such as Armon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jamyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery.

This barrage of injuries will likely force the team to thrust young players into important roles despite limited experience. There's a good chance the Bucs will consider bringing in at least one free agent to add depth to a secondary that is already very much depleted.

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