The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already entered Week 4 dealing with injuries across the roster, and another significant name was added to the list during Sunday’s 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. left the game in the fourth quarter with what the Buccaneers officially listed as an abdomen/rib injury. Winfield was seen walking off while holding his side and did not return. Tampa Bay’s official postgame report confirmed the injury designation and noted that Winfield finished the afternoon with six tackles and a forced fumble before exiting the game.
There is not yet a confirmed diagnosis or timetable for Winfield’s return. Todd Bowles did not provide a specific postgame update on the severity of the injury, and there
has been no verified report indicating whether Winfield will be available when Tampa Bay travels to Dallas for Thursday night’s game. With the Buccaneers facing a short week, his status should become clearer once the team begins releasing practice and injury information.
Winfield’s absence would be another substantial blow to a Tampa Bay defense already dealing with injuries. SirVocea Dennis was also lost during Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, while the Buccaneers entered the afternoon without Rueben Bain Jr., Benjamin Morrison and Ko Kieft.
Winfield had 18 combined tackles through the first three games of the season. Adding his six tackles against Green Bay brings his total to 24 tackles through four games, with one forced fumble. He has yet to record a sack or interception this season.
Winfield has been a central piece of the secondary since entering the league and gives Bowles flexibility because of his range, tackling ability, and willingness to play around the line of scrimmage or deep in coverage. Tampa Bay’s own offseason evaluation described him as a defender with sideline-to-sideline range, strong recognition and a knack for creating turnovers.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs star defender suffers injury in loss to Packers
