Star Bucs Defender Seen in Walking Boot After Commanders Game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have more bad news if Antoine Winfield Jr. misses time.

River Wells | Sep 8, 2024

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have won 37-20 over the Washington Commanders for their opening victory on the year, but it was somewhat of a pyrrhic victory.

Tampa Bay's secondary was shredded by injuries — cornerback Zyon McCollum suffered a concussion, special teamer Josh Hayes had an injured ankle and cornerback Bryce Hall is almost certainly out for the year with a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. And while they'll have to address all that in the secondary, there could be another problem looming on the horizon.

All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. appeared to play the game with no issue, but after the game, he was seen in a walking boot. The severity of his injury is unknown, but we'll know more on Monday when Tood Bowles speaks to media ahead of Week 2.

#Bucs All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr was seen sporting a walking boot on his right foot after the game tonight. We speak to head coach Todd Bowles tomorrow and will try to get an update.
— JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL) September 9, 2024

Winfield Jr.'s absence would be very, very troubling. Christian Izien, cross-trained at safety, was already playing corner in relief of Hall this game, so the next man up would likely be second-year player Kaevon Merriweather. It's entirely possible that the injury isn't serious, but a walking boot isn't a great sign — either way, the time for speculation will be over soon when Bowles confirms exactly what is ailing the Buccaneers safety.

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Published Sep 8, 2024

RIVER WELLS

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.