Latest injury update spells disaster for Buccaneers vs. Rams

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has struggled mightily over the last two weeks, giving up 28 points to the Patriots in Week 10 and 44 to the Bills in Week 11. The 72 points and 850 yards allowed over that span, including six touchdowns of 25 yards or more, are a major red flag heading into Sunday.

Things won’t get any easier against the Rams, led by MVP favorite Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles ranks eighth in total offense, sixth in passing, and sixth in scoring at 27.2 points per game, making it one of the league’s most dangerous units.

The Bucs, meanwhile, rank 27th against the pass and 21st in scoring defense. And history isn’t on their side: In five meetings between Sean McVay and Todd Bowles since Bowles became the Buccaneers defensive coordinator in 2019, the Rams have won three out of five matchups and scored at least 27 points in four of them.

Now Tampa Bay will face that high-powered offense without one of its best defenders.

Jamel Dean out vs. Rams with hip injury

Cornerback Jamel Dean is in the middle of a career year. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s top corner entering Week 11, and he still boasts the lowest completion percentage allowed when targeted.

But Dean exited last week’s game with a hip injury and has been ruled out for Week 12. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the Bucs prepare for one of the NFL’s toughest receiver duos in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua without their best cornerback.

Rookie Benjamin Morrison has split snaps with Dean all season as part of Bowles’ plan to develop his rookie while trying to keep Dean healthy. But he’s struggled lately and is also dealing with a hamstring injury. He’s listed as questionable, and even if he plays, asking a banged-up rookie to take on a full workload against this group is a tall task.

If Morrison can’t go, Kindle Vildor would likely get the start. Vildor has been a solid depth piece when called upon, including an interception in Week 6 against the 49ers, but the Bucs would prefer not to rely on him as an every-down outside corner against this Rams team.

With Dean out and Morrison’s status uncertain, Tampa Bay is dangerously thin in the secondary at the worst possible time. Whether Morrison plays or not, the Bucs will need their best defensive performance of the year to avoid another long night in Los Angeles.