Bucs Announce 2 Elevations For Wild Card Round vs. Commanders

The Bucs introduced two elevations from the follow squad on Saturday afternoon forward of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card matchup in opposition to the Commanders at Raymond James Stadium.

The primary is veteran inside linebacker Deion Jones, who signed with Tampa Bay’s follow squad again in December. The ninth-year professional, who was initially drafted by the Falcons in 2016 and starred for Atlanta early in his profession, suited up in Weeks 17 and 18 for the Bucs, enjoying particular groups and recording one sort out.

Bucs WR Tanner Knue – Picture by: USA Right now

Whereas he might solely see time on particular groups as soon as once more on Sunday evening, Jones has some playoff expertise to his identify, beginning 5 postseason video games and totaling 33 tackles (with three for a loss), 4 passes defensed, a pressured fumble and a quarterback hit.

The opposite elevation from the follow squad is rookie large receiver Tanner Knue, who signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent final Could and spent the offseason, coaching camp and preseason with the workforce earlier than being launched and ultimately re-signing with the follow squad in October.

The Japanese Michigan product caught 9 passes for 86 yards and a landing over three preseason video games with Tampa Bay.

Jones stands a greater probability of being energetic for Sunday evening’s recreation than Knue does, however the necessary factor for each is that they no less than get the chance to usher in a playoff recreation verify. The Bucs have used follow squad elevations as rewards for gamers previously, each within the common season and the postseason. For instance, in final 12 months’s Wild Card Spherical, Tampa Bay elevated Jose Ramirez and Patrick Laird, and whereas each had been inactive, they nonetheless earned playoff recreation checks.

Bucs Are Getting More healthy As Playoffs Start

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Picture by: Cliff Welch P/R

For the Bucs, Saturday’s announcement was extra about who wasn’t elevated from the follow squad. The dearth of elevations outdoors of Jones and Knue point out that Tampa Bay is far more healthy than it has been in latest weeks because it opens up the postseason at dwelling on Sunday evening. This, in fact, falls consistent with what head coach Todd Bowles mentioned following Friday’s follow.

Bowles mentioned that each cornerback Jamel Dean and security Antoine Winfield Jr. can be good to go for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Commanders, whereas tight finish Cade Otton was additionally trending in the appropriate path.

Dean left the Bucs’ 48-14 Week 17 win over the Panthers with a knee damage and missed the common season finale in opposition to the Saints, however ought to be good to go for the Wild Card matchup in opposition to Washington. Winfield has missed the final 4 video games of the common season with a knee damage of his personal, however he had per week stuffed with full participation in follow, so he’s able to return to motion as nicely.

Otton, who has additionally been coping with a knee damage and missed the ultimate three video games of the common season, was a restricted participant in Wednesday’s follow earlier than logging two practices as a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He formally has a “questionable” tag heading into Sunday, however it appears he’s on monitor to play.

Keep tuned to PewterReport.com for continued pregame protection all all through Sunday afternoon and into the night, which is when full inactives lists for each groups can be launched. After all, keep tuned for in-game and postgame protection as nicely.