The Buccaneers travel to Seattle with 19 players on the week’s injury report and a suddenly vulnerable secondary. Jamel Dean, Benjamin Morrison and Christian Izien are unlikely to practice, leaving depth options thin and forcing a rethink of Sunday’s coverage plan.

Coaches could shift Jacob Parrish to the perimeter and drop Tykee Smith to nickel, or lean on Kindle Vildor across from Zyon McCollum with Bryce Hall as insurance. Either path raises risk for fantasy receivers facing a patched Bucs secondary.

Health will determine Tampa’s approach, and Seattle’s quick-pass attack could test the reshaped back end. If Dean and company sit, early targets could swing toward Seattle’s short-hands and create upside for volume-driven fantasy plays on the Seahawks side.

Tampa Bay can leverage a stronger back end and a sharper special teams unit to slow Philadelphia in Week 4. Antoine Winfield Jr. anchors a versatile safety trio, while Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum patrol the boundaries with solid thorny coverage, aided by rookie help from Parrish and Morrison. The Buccaneers also win the field-position battle with Chase McLaughlin’s reliable kicking and a disciplined return game. If they press these edges, TB can stay within striking distance of the high-powered Eagles.

Bucs edge Texans 20-19 in Houston, flipping the script from 2023 and escaping with a late touchdown drive after a pair of injury-riddled halves. Tampa Bay moves to 2-0, headlined by a fourth-quarter march capped by a Rachaad White score, while Baker Mayfield navigates a battered line and Emeka Egbuka shines on a crucial screen completion.

Houston pressed with a late momentum swing—Jaylin Noel’s punt return set up a Nick Chubb TD and a 19-14 lead—but the Buccaneers answered in the final minutes, aided by a late defensive stand and a Key field goal run, sealing the comeback at NRG Stadium. The win leaves Tampa Bay eyeing Week 3 with momentum and health concerns for several linemen.

Injuries dominated the storyline: Luke Goedeke exited early for Tampa Bay, Calijah Kancey left later, and the defense still found lanes to pressure Stroud. The Texans showed resilience, but the Bucs prevailed, improving mood around the division and setting up a nationally watched home matchup with the Jets.

Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a preseason ejection against the Bills, clearing waivers and facing an uncertain NFL path. The 25-year-old safety took four tackles in three exhibition games and expressed gratitude for the Buccaneers’ support, framing the setback as part of a larger story of growth and faith.

TB’s safety depth—Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, and Christian Izien—made Sanders expendable, leaving him to chase another opportunity. The piece highlights his work ethic and resilience as he looks for a new team and a possible late-career spark in the right system.