Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 takeaways from Bruce Arians’ presser
By Cory Kinnan
Arians is not counting on Justin Evans
Probably the biggest of the takeaways from Arians’ time with the media today is that he, nor the Buccaneers, are really counting on safety Justin Evans to start the season. In fact, Arians displayed a ton of uncertainty in his voice when speaking about the third year safety out of Texas A&M.
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Last year Evans ended his season with an ankle injury, then had surgery on the same foot this offseason. He missed all of minicamp as he was seen walking with a boot, and is still not ready to roll at the start of camp. It is now the end of July, and Arians is using “if” verbiage surrounding rather than “when” in terms of returning to the field.
"“I have no idea. If he would have practiced all spring and was penciled in as a starter, I’d be concerned. I haven’t seen him play. I’ve seen all the other guys play, and I’m OK…If we get him back and he’s what I hope he is, that’s adding to the picture” (Arians via Greg Auman)."
This is not a great way to start with a new regime who did not draft you. The Buccaneers already seem to be planning for life after Evans, and it seems like he could be displaced already by the time he gets back into action.
With the signing of Kentrell Brice, moving M.J. Stewart to safety, and the drafting of Mike Edwards, the safety room is now all of a sudden crowded. Evans will have a ton to prove when he finally gets to the field… if he gets back to the field.