The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a way to win without Vincent Jackson once against a tough team and they might have to do so again. Set to play against the New York Giants, the Buccaneers have some momentum after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. While they made things look easy without Vincent Jackson on the field, they will have to try and repeat the success without him again.
According to ESPN.com, Jackson has not practice since suffering a knee injury and is not likely to return in time to play in Week 9. The Buccaneers were quick to say that the injury to Jackson was not season-ending and he should be able to return soon, but there is no timetable of when that might be able to happen. Not having the receiver at practice yet is a good indicator that he will not be facing the Giants.
If Jackson is in fact out another game, Mike Evans will need to step up against the Giants' secondary. Evans alongside Cameron Brate led the Buccaneers in what was a quiet but effective passing game. They will be relied upon again as the Buccaneers want more Evans each week.
"We just need to get Mike started," said Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter, vi the team website. "He's fine. We just need to get him started. I'm sure Mike is a little bit frustrated. It is what it is. We've been down this road before with other guys. We've just got to get him started. There is nothing he is doing wrong. He's playing hard, he's practicing hard."
The Buccaneers are hopeful they can get back Austin Seferian-Jenkins in Week 9 as the tight end continues to try and heal from a shoulder injury. The tight end told the media that he is progressing well which gives him some optimism that he might be able to play in Week 9. However, he does not want to rush a return just for the sake of returning as he knows Tampa Bay is still alive in the division and could make a run.
"You've got to go back out there feeling that you can do what you did when you left," Seferian-Jenkins said, via ESPN.com. "So I don't want to go out there and not give my teammates what they deserve out of me when I'm out there on the field. It just sucks. But they've been doing a great job -- the offensive line has been doing a great job, the quarterback has been doing a great job, the tight ends have been doing a great job. Everyone has been pulling their weight and doing a great job, and that's why we have a couple [victories] here."
Winston proved he could hold things down against a strong defense. That will be tested once again while facing the Giants. Getting Seferian-Jenkins back would certainly be a huge gain for the offense going forward.
