[sendtonews_embed video_id=”weXbnCM5GX-1586990-7498″]
There’s a big hit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense: Bucs coach Bruce Arians announced Friday that wide receiver Antonio Brown will be unavailable against the New Orleans Saints while he continues to recover from an ankle injury. This was expected after he was spotted in crutches on the sidelines of practice in Tampa Bay this week.
Brown has missed the Buccaneers’ last two games with this ankle issue but still ranks third on the team in targets on the year so far, which speaks to how often Tom Brady has looked his way. But even if he’s down the Saints secondary still has its hands full defending maybe the league’s best set of pass-catchers, led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
They had success last season. Godwin was limited to 13 receptions on 20 targets for 154 receiving yards across three matchups, while Evans caught 6 of 13 passes sent his way, totaling 69 receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions during the same span. Brown went 4-of-8 for 41 receiving yards in two games after joining Tampa Bay midseason. These are players the Saints have and can outmatch, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
As for other injury updates: Arians added that tight end Rob Gronkowski, linebacker Lavonte David, plus cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Dee Delaney all have a shot at playing against New Orleans. Stay tuned for Friday’s final injury report, which may help clarify some of those situations.
[listicle id=55848]