2 min read • January 22, 2021
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The Buccaneers offense has had a banged up year in regards to the talent around Tom Brady, but they’ve done a good job at playing through and making an impact. Now, in the NFC Championship, there are question marks again at wideout and running back. Ronald Jones started out the week as limited with his quad and finger injuries, but there is a good chance he will play again and regain some of his touches from Leonard Fournette. Antonio Brown went down with a knee injury on his only reception versus the Saints, and did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His status is up in the air, but both Mike Evans (knee) and Chris Godwin (quad) have good chances to play and be effective. On defense, we’ll have to keep an eye on Jason Pierre-Paul (knee/NIR) and defensive backs Jordan Whitehead (knee) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) as all three are starters contending with injuries. Vita Vea practice window has been opened but is unlikely to return after suffering a fractured ankle earlier in the season.
Green Bay’s offensive core is a simple one. Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. All three are good to go, but the depth around the skill positions does have some question marks. Running backs AJ Dillon (quad) and Jamaal Williams (ankle) were limited to start the week, and while it is unlikely both miss time this is worth keeping an eye on as both have been important in this offense. Wideouts Allen Lazard (wrist/back) and Equanimeous St. Brown (knee/ankle) were limited as well, and both are important wideouts across from Adams. The biggest concern here is indeed at tackle, as David Bakhtiari is out for the year and replacement tackle Jared Veldheer is on the COVID-19 reserve list still after missing the last game versus the Rams but he is expected to come off the list to play against the Buccaneers. Right tackle Rick Wagner has been limited by a knee injury of his own but has played through. Guard Billy Turner has kicked out to left tackle, and while Wagner could very well push through and start, their depth outside is now paper thin. They also have some questions on the front seven. Defensive lineman Kingsley Keke missed last week with a concussion, but a limited practice this week shows good progress there. Linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Krys Barnes both are dealing with thumb injuries, and while they’re unlikely to both miss time, they could limit their effectiveness, especially Barnes who suffered a fractured thumb last week.
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