After unprecedented offseason hype, Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. has failed to live up to expectations through the first two games of his career.
Bain didn’t have to come out of the gates and be a game-wrecker — fans just wanted to see some flashes. But he’s been downright invisible with just one tackle through two games.
The Buccaneers released their injury report ahead of their Week 3 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings, and Bain’s slow start suddenly has an explanation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Rueben Bain Jr. is dealing with a groin injury
Bain suffered a sprained AC joint during joint practice with the Jaguars at the end of August. He was held out of practice with a sore shoulder but was able to return for the start of the regular season.
Bowles was asked after Bain’s goose egg in Week 2 if his shoulder is still bothering him, and the head coach conceded that he doesn’t think the rookie is fully healthy.
“He says it's not. I mean, I don't think he's completely healthy, but at the same time, he's good enough to play, so we've got to get more production there."
Now, on top of the healing shoulder, Bowles revealed that Bain missed practice on Tuesday due to a groin injury he suffered in Week 2, so he's far less than 100% between the two injuries.
Bain has been facing unrealistic expectations that he’d be the savior and breathe life into a dormant pass rush that’s been ineffective for several years now. While he very well could develop into a game-changer down the line, the rookie needs some grace as he adjusts to the pro level.
The rookie was utterly dominant throughout training camp before his shoulder injury, and there’s plenty of time for him to get fully healthy and make his presence felt in the real games. Other players need to step up to generate a pass rush, rather than counting on a rookie to be the spark.
Yaya Diaby has led the team in sacks in two of the past three seasons, but he’s been a non-factor so far in a contract year. Al-Quadin Muhammad had 11 sacks last season with the Detroit Lions, but hasn’t gotten home for a sack yet in Tampa Bay. David Walker was the team’s biggest training camp standout, and he got his first career sack last week.
The outside linebacker room is deep enough to get after opposing quarterbacks without counting on Bain to lead the charge. The Buccaneers need to pick up the rookie’s slack as he continues getting healthy and acclimated to the NFL.
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