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TAMPA, Fla – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be deprived of three key members of their defense against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Inside linebacker Devin White, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and defensive lineman Steve McLendon were placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Friday.
Placement on the roster means that a player has tested positive or has been seen as close contact with someone who has.
The Bucs don’t reveal who tested positive, but Barrett, a 2019 Pro Bowler, ended up on the list as a close contact, his wife wrote on Instagram.
“Shaquil is negative and has been out all week, however [he] was near someone who tested positive. He will therefore remain in quarantine for the next five days, ”said Jordanna Barrett.
“I cannot control the actions of others. Just our own. Regardless of how safe we are … and follow all possible precautions. Sometimes people choose other choices that result in unfair circumstances. But rest assured everyone is asking. those who have been reckless and exposed the team. So for the crazy fans … some things are out of our control. That’s what it is. Shaquil will be back for the playoffs. “
NFL COVID-19 protocols indicate that a close contact who continues to test negative for five consecutive days can return to the team. But if a player tests positive, they must wait at least 10 days since their positive test was taken – or longer if they experience any symptoms – and must be cleared by a doctor, which would compromise that player’s availability for the playoffs.
White’s 140 tackles are third in the league and his nine sacks – including three two weeks ago when the Bucs last faced the Falcons – are a top team. Barrett has eight sacks, with him and White making up over 36% of the Bucs’ team total this season.
The Bucs acquired McLendon from the New York Jets in October to replace Vita Vea, who landed on the injured reserve in Week 5, and he helped maintain their position as the league’s best defense.
The trio’s placement on the reserve / COVID-19 list is unrelated to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ fear of COVID-19 this week, which was caused by a false positive test from close contact. The Bucs expect Bowles to return to coach on Sunday.
The Bucs have already clinched a playoff berth, but huge implications remain for Sunday’s game. With a win over the Falcons, the Bucs would secure the fifth seed in the NFC, which would mean they would face the winner yet to be decided from a weak NFC East. If they lose Sunday and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals, the Bucs will face the Seattle Seahawks (11-4), the New Orleans Saints (11-4) or the Green Bay Packers (12- 3).
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