The Buccaneers
appear to have avoided a significant injury with rookie Keionte Scott, but the timing still isn't ideal for a secondary that has spent much of training camp trying to get healthy. Scott suffered an ankle injury during Tampa Bay's 19-0 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday. Todd Bowles provided an encouraging update Saturday, describing it as a minor ankle sprain and saying Scott "should be fine."That's good news considering the role Scott had carved out for himself this summer. The fourth-round pick has received significant work as Tampa Bay's nickel corner and appeared to be in line to start there when the Bucs open the season against Cincinnati on September 13th. Still, the Bucs have only 15 days before they'll
have to deal with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the Bengals' passing attack. Even a relatively minor ankle sprain can become something worth watching when a cornerback relies heavily on change of direction and closing speed. Any practices he misses over the next two weeks could hinder his preparation for his NFL debut. But if Scott isn't ready, Tampa Bay still has options.
Jacob Parrish spent his rookie season primarily in the slot and could easily move back inside. The Bucs spent this summer expanding Parrish's responsibilities, using him outside and letting him slide into the nickel depending on the personnel around him. Moving Parrish inside, however, creates another decision outside. Zyon McCollum is locked into one starting spot. Benjamin Morrison finally returned to game action against Jacksonville after dealing with a hamstring injury for much of camp, and he could start opposite McCollum if Tampa Bay feels comfortable with where he is physically. Ayden Garnes has also forced his way into the conversation after an impressive preseason and has already received first-team work outside. That could leave the Bucs with McCollum and Morrison outside and Parrish in the slot if Scott can't go. Tampa Bay could also keep Parrish outside and turn to someone like Garnes, who's made a name for himself this preseason, depending on whether he survives final cuts as an UDFA. Bowles' update suggests the Bucs aren't expecting Scott to miss significant time, so there's little reason for alarm yet. But with Cincinnati waiting in Week 1 and Tampa Bay's cornerback room already dealing with injuries throughout camp, Scott's progress over the next two weeks will be worth watching closely.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Keionte Scott's ankle injury adds another question to Bucs' secondary
