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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without safety Antoine Winfield Jr., tight end Rob Gronkowski and defensive end Pat O’Connor against the Miami Dolphins this week, coach Bruce Arians said Friday.
Winfield Jr., who recorded an interception and forced a fumble in the Bucs’ 19-17 win over the New England Patriots before missing the last two practices with a concussion, couldn’t clear the protocol of concussion. Mike Edwards, who had two pick-sixes in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, will get the green light.
Gronkowski will miss his second game after breaking his ribs and suffering what the Arians described as a “little pinch” in his lungs two weeks ago at the Los Angeles Rams. Gronkowski was able to switch to the stationary bike this week, Arians said.
O’Connor, who is sidelined with a calf injury, has played 91.06% of special teams snaps for the Bucs this season – by far the most Bucs player count in this category. The Bucs are considering bringing Cam Gill back from the casualty reserve to fill the role.
On a positive note, cornerback Jamel Dean, who missed a knee injury last week, is expected to be active against the Dolphins, meaning they will have an original starting cornerback on the field after Carlton Davis was placed in the casualty reserve this week with an ATV injury.
“He’s full speed ahead; he’s fine,” Arians said of Dean, though he’s still figuring out if he’ll start. Otherwise, Pierre Desir, who replaced Davis in the second half against the Patriots, will likely get the green light.
Outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, who missed the last two games with shoulder and wrist injuries, will also be back.
“It’s ready to go,” Arians said.
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