The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are suddenly navigating a difficult injury situation in Week 3 as Todd Bowles announced, via Fox Sports' Greg Auman, that they’ll be without rookie defenders Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter.
The Buccaneers are 0-2 and can’t afford another loss to bury them even further. Being without two defensive starters against an explosive Minnesota Vikings offense is far from ideal.
While Bain being out stings, he’s frankly been ineffective so far, and Tampa Bay has some quality depth at outside linebacker. Al-Quadin Muhammad and David Walker can both step up and replace the rookie seamlessly.
But Trotter being out is the real backbreaker. He’s been the team’s best defensive player through two weeks, and now there’s even more pressure on Alex Anzalone, who’s been the team’s worst player, and one of the worst linebackers in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ lack of linebacker depth could doom them with Josiah Trotter out in Week 3
Todd Bowles said earlier this offseason that inside linebacker is the team’s strongest position group. That depth will be put to the test on Sunday.
Tampa Bay will be counting on Anzalone, SirVocea Dennis, and Christian Rozeboom at the linebacker spot with Trotter out due to a shoulder injury.
Trotter is the Buccaneers’ leading tackler and also has a sack and an interception that remains the team’s only turnover of the year. Being without him is a massive blow, and it’s one the Vikings have the personnel to take advantage of.
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson could be in for a huge game against a Bucs defense that already struggled mightily against tight ends, even when Trotter was in the game.
And it’s not just pass coverage where his absence will be felt.
It feels like Trotter is about the only Bucs defender capable of consistently making tackles in the open field. Poor tackling has plagued the unit, and that will be even more pronounced without him on the field.
The Vikings boast one of the deepest groups of playmakers across the league with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. If the Buccaneers defenders can’t figure out a way to bring guys down, it’s going to be a long day.
For a team as desperate as the Buccaneers, this injury update couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Vikings were already the better team heading into Sunday’s game, and now the scales just tipped even more in their favor.
Add us as a preferred source on Google