Jameis Winston might have notched his first win of the season, but getting a second could be a little tough. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got the road win over the New Orleans Saints, but they might have some issues repeating the success against the Houston Texans. Injuries are becoming an issue for Tampa Bay as they lose one player and potentially get back another.
All eyes are on Mike Evans entering Week 3. The wide receiver has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has hurt his production to start the season. Evans missed time in the preseason due to the injury and has yet to get into a rhythm to start the year as the Buccaneers continue to keep him limited. However, injuries are making it so that can no longer be the case. According to Sports Talk Florida's Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers will not limit Evans in Week 3 with any kind of pitch count and the receiver will be free to play every down.
The release of Evans will be needed. The Buccaneers announced that tight end and leading offensive weapon Austin Seferian-Jenkins will be out the next 4-6 weeks after straining his shoulder as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. That is a big hit for Tampa Bay considering the tight end already had seven catches for 139 yards. That puts the pressure on players like Luke Stocker and Brandon Myers who are now tasked with replacing the tight end.
"It's really nothing new to me," said Myers, via the team website. "I kind of stick to the approach that I'm preparing to be the starter all the time. [Winston and Seferian-Jenkins] started out pretty hot, so I'm not going out there trying to do anything they're not asking me to do. I'll go out there and, when my number's called, try to make a play."
With Seferian-Jenkins and Evans out and limited, the Tampa Bay offense must find other ways to open up the playbook. Vincent Jackson will continue as the top threat for Winston while the run game must do a better job at improving. The Buccaneers have not committed to running the ball enough in the first two games despite having the improved Doug Martin on the roster. Charles Sims has been getting some work in as well in the position. Those two will help replace the injured Seferian-Jenkins and be a big help for Winston.
