2022 NFL Team Injury Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - SIC Score 90.9

2021 record: 13-4 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 11.5

It was a whirlwind of a week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the team began training camp. Unfortunately, starting center Ryan Jensen was carted off the field with a knee injury on the second day of camp. Our team of Pro Football Docs are concerned the 31-year-old offensive tackle tore his ACL.

At the very least, he is dealing with a severe MCL sprain that will keep him out the first half of the season.

The team then brought wide receiver Julio Jones aboard with a one-year, $6 million deal to beef up the receiving corps. 

After his brief retirement stint, starting quarterback Tom Brady is back and motivated to lead his Buccaneers back to the Super Bowl. 

The 44-year-old quarterback is going to be without his top receiver as Chris Godwin is still recovering from his Week 15 ACL tear. The former Penn State receiver led the team last season with 28 receptions for 1,103 yards and 5 touchdowns. Godwin still has a long way to go until he will be 100 percent. 

Brady lost powerhouse tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement though there are rumors he could return in the middle of the season. Kyle Rudolph joined the Buccaneers from the Vikings as a potential Gronk replacement. The other option at tight end is Cameron Brate so both top tight ends are in their early 30s, which is worth noting. 

While running back Leonard Fournette received a lot of heat for showing up to the Bucs’ facility overweight and out-of-shape during minicamp, head coach Todd Bowles said at the first day of training camp the starting running back is explosive and running well. 

Vita Vea is healthy and poised to lead the dominant defensive front as the team's top nose tackle. The team, on the other, elected not to resign defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. 

Linebacker Lavonte David who has a 94 SIC Score should not be hampered by his 2021 Lisfranc foot injury that held him out for the last two games of the regular season. The 31-year-old linebacker was able to play through the injury in the playoffs but he later revealed he was not nearly at full-strength. David has been cleared for training camp. 

Chris Godwin - SIC Score 62

Godwin is not likely to be healthy for the start of the season as he continues to come back from Week 15 ACL tear in his right knee. His production will increase towards the second half of the season once he is a year post-surgery. For any indication for how Godwin will perform this season, look to Odell Beckham after he returned following his mid-season ACL tear. 

Tom Brady - SIC Score 91

While The future Hall of Fame quarterback is turning 45 years old in a matter of days, there is no evidence his body is slowing down any time soon. His health and body are in great shape for his 23rd season in the league. The fact Brady has not missed a game because of injury in 14 years is a testament to how the quarterback maintains and treats his body. There is no reason to believe Brady will be hampered by injuries this season as he looks for his eighth Super Bowl win. 

Julio Jones - SIC Score 88

The 33-year-old receiver's grade is lowered considering his age and lingering hamstring issues. He has missed 17 games over the last two years because of the same hamstring injury. Jones' foot which has had three surgeries on should not give the receiver any problems. 

Tristan Wirfs - SIC Score 94

The second-year right tackle is back on the field after he injured his ankle on the game-opening drive during the NFC Wild Card game. He then was held out of the Buc’s division round playoff loss to the Rams. 

Vita Vea - SIC Score 91

The fifth-year nose tackle, who recently signed a 4-year, more than $70 extension, played every game in 2021. He should be not feel any effects of his 2020 foot fracture that limited him to five games that season.