Tom Brady‘s most trusted target and 4x Pro Bowler Rob Gronkowski is scratched from the line up at the 11th hour. Taking some of the pressure off 1st time starter, Tampa Bay Buccaneer rookie safety Justin Evans.
What was reported earlier about the Buccaneers’ opposing tight end is now confirmed via Patriots beat writer, Mark Daniels:
Patriots inactives: Rob Gronkowski, Eric Rowe, Alan Branch, Rex Burkhead, Cole Croston, Harvey Langi, LaAdrian Waddle
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 5, 2017
The Buccaneers are going into tonights’ game down their own Pro Bowler in safety T.J. Ward. Ward was expected to be matched up against Gronkowski as Tampa was going to put strength against strength in an effort to neutralize the New England tight end.
With Ward out that duty was going to fall to the Bucs 2017 2nd round pick Justin Evans, who was going to make his first NFL start against the leagues 2nd highest scoring offense.
Evans is described as a big hitting athletic safety and the Tampa coaching staff have high hopes for Evans, but making your 1st start against arguably the best tight end in the NFL was going to be a tall order.
This is a big win for the Buccaneers defense before they even step out onto the field.
How much will it effect the Patriots offense is hard to say.
If New England falls to 2-3 after tonight, you can bet that Patriots fans will point some of the blame at their offense and the absence of Gronkowski.
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GO BUCS!!!