Buccaneers game grades: 2017 Week 5 loss to New England

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Bucs' loss to the New England Patriots at an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Running back Mike Gillislee #35 of the New England Patriots runs for a gain of six yards against middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 during the third quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 5: Running back Mike Gillislee #35 of the New England Patriots runs for a gain of six yards against middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 during the third quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

For the third straight game, the Buccaneers were missing stud linebacker Kwon Alexander who continues to be hampered by an injured hamstring. With 10-days to rest up and hopefully come back, maybe we’ll see him in Arizona.

The chances are less likely Lavonte David will be back in the desert, but hey, you never know.

Meanwhile, rookie linebacker Kendall Beckwith is holding down Alexander’s spot with pretty successful results. He’s been a player to watch thus far in the young season, even if it has been a little surprising.

The Evans referenced in that tweet is the rookie safety, who we’ll address in just a minute.

Beckwith though, led the team with 12 tackles and was solid in coverage against one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

Other replacements played well also.

Adarius Glanton has become a fan favorite of sorts, and he tallied six tackles while forcing a fumble in a crucial time in the game. Of course, it got turned into zero points, but he can’t do anything about that.

Overall, the linebackers looked good this week, led by the unlikely duo of Beckwith and Glanton.

I’m sure we all really appreciate what they’ve done to this point, but I think we can all agree we’re looking forward to seeing Alexander and David back sooner, rather than later.

GRADE: B+