Bucs Rule Out 2 Defensive Starters vs. Colts

In addition to acknowledging that everyone outside of David and Dean would be game-time decisions come Sunday, Bowles was also asked for updates on other injured defenders.

That includes linebacker Devin White (foot), who the Bucs badly need Sunday with David already out. Bowles said the fifth-year linebacker “did some things” and ran around during Friday’s practice, but it’ll ultimately come down to how he feels on Sunday.

Bowles pretty much said the same about cornerback Carlton Davis III (hip), noting that he and White will both get two more days to hopefully recover and get healthy enough to play against the Colts.

Missing one or both of them would present even further troubles for Tampa Bay, as there’s a chance the defense could be without two starting linebackers or two starting cornerbacks. And in the worst-case scenario, the Bucs will be without all four.

How Will Bucs Approach Sunday’s Game With Key Injuries?

With Dean out and Davis either out or playing through a hip injury, the Bucs will need to rely on Zyon McCollum, Dee Delaney, Josh Hayes and any practice squad elevations come Sunday as they take on Garnder Minshew and the Colts. The truth is, Tampa Bay is no stranger to playing without Dean, Davis or both cornerbacks as they have dealt with injuries at some point in almost every year of their careers. The bigger question is how Bowles’ defense will cope without David, its longest-tenured captain and leading tackler.

Bowles said Friday that he’ll use different packages to cover for the absence of David, but things will certainly get trickier if White isn’t good to go – or if he is limited once the game gets going on Sunday.

Behind David and White at linebacker, Tampa Bay has K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis and J.J. Russell, who was signed to the 53-man roster this week. Britt certainly has the most experience and while he’s not the quickest or most athletic linebacker, he’s someone who knows the system. That makes him someone Bowles can trust.

“He’s very smart,” the head coach said Friday. “He’s a very good communicator [and] knows the defense well, so he can bring some things up front with us. We’re excited to see him play if he has to play.”

The Bucs more or less know what they have in Britt. The same goes for Russell, for that matter. But extended playing time for Dennis, a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, could give the team a bit more of the evaluation it needs to see what it has in the young linebacker going forward.

Dennis spoke to the media earlier this week about what his preparation has been like this week as he’s likely to step in for David and/or White as needed.

“My preparation stays the same,” Dennis said. “I prepare just like those guys. I’m really in their back pockets just in case that situation happens. I prepare the same, do everything the same, now just go out there and execute.”

Co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote had no qualms this week when asked about the prospect of Dennis, an unexperienced rookie, having to play more for the Buccaneer defense.

“Everybody, next man up, K.J. Britt, ‘Voss’ (SirVocea Dennis),” Foote said. “This time of the year, I don’t look at anybody as rookies. [If] we put you in there, we expect you to play and perform and a high level.”