Coach Bruce Arians announced Friday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be without safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and tight end Rob Gronkowski, as well as defensive end Pat O'Connor, against the Miami Dolphins.
Winfield, who had an interception and forced Winfield to fumble in the Buccaneers' victory 19-17 at the New England Patriots, before suffering a concussion that left him unable to complete the drive, was unable to clear the concussion protocol. Mike Edwards, who recorded two pick-sixes against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, will be the nominee.
Gronkowski will be out of his second game due to a fractured rib and what Arians called a "small pinch" within his lungs. This happened two weeks ago at Los Angeles Rams. Arians stated that Gronkowski was able this week to ride a stationary bicycle.
O'Connor is currently sidelined by a calf injury and has played 91.06% special-teams snaps this season for the Buccaneers -- the most Tampa Bay players in that category. Cam Gill is being considered by the Buccaneers for this role.
The Buccaneers are optimistic that cornerback Jamel Dale, who was injured last week and missed the game due to a knee injury, will be able to play against the Dolphins. This means they will have one starting cornerback after Carlton Davis was put on injured reserve with a quad injury.
He's at full speed. Dean is fine, Arians said. However, he is still trying to determine if he will start. Pierre Desir, who was Davis' backup in the second period against the Patriots in the second half, is likely to start if he doesn't.
Jason Pierre-Paul, outside linebacker, who was injured in the shoulder and wrist during the previous two games, will also be back.
Arians stated, "He's ready for roll,"
