Tampa Bay Buccaneers Down Two Starters Against New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without two starters on defense when they take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

With the NFC South title on the line, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without two starters on defense when they take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Cornerback Carlton Davis and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett were ruled out by head coach Todd Bowles after Friday's practice. Tight end Ko Kieft will also be sidelined for the divisional matchup. 

Davis left the game during the Bucs' Week 16 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion and did not return. The injury happened early in the second quarter and after a stint in the blue medical tent on the sideline, Davis made his way back to the locker room. He was replaced with Zyon McCollum, who will likely get the start in his absence. Davis has missed four games this season and parts of others due to injury. He did not practice all week leading up to his inactive designation.

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Late in the game, Barrett was ruled as questionable to return with a groin injury. He did not return. The veteran pass rusher worked his way back from an Achilles tear last season and has started to return to form in recent weeks. He did not practice all week.

As for Kieft, it's a shoulder injury that will keep him out of this Sunday's matchup with the Saints. With Kieft out it will likely mean the promotion of David Wells from the practice squad. Wells started the season on the main roster before being waived and added to the practice squad. It has made way for more snaps for fifth-round pick Payne Durham who has made some absurd receptions over the last few weeks. With Kieft out the Bucs lose their best blocking tight end against a dangerous front seven. 

With Shaq Barrett out, Anthony Nelson, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will need to step up in his absence. Markees Watts and Cam Gill may get extra snaps and will need to make the most of them. McCollum has shown tremendous improvement but will have his handful with the duo of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. 

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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