Marcus Spears believes Tom Brady can figure out the Patriots defense and explains how the Buccaneers defense will use this game in order to get back on track. (1:02).
TAMPA, Fla. -- Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coach, said Friday that Rob Gronkowski (ribs), and Jason Pierre-Paul (hand/shoulder) would be game-time decisions against New England Patriots.
Gronkowski, who missed two days of practice this week due to illness, returned to practice on Friday. Pierre-Paul was absent from practice since Sept. 15. Monday's Arians stated that he didn't foresee Pierre-Paul playing this week.
Gronkowski has been a potent weapon in the red zone for the Bucs this season. Pierre-Paul, on the other hand, has been an emotional leader of a defense with only three sacks through its first three games.
Giovani Bernard, running back, and Jamel Dean, cornerback (knee), will both be out. This means that the Bucs will not have two of their three starting cornerbacks. Richard Sherman, who signed on Wednesday with the team, will be available.
Arians stated, "We'll have to have him up just in case."
Sherman stated that he would take about a week for him to become comfortable in the Bucs' environment.
