Two Buccaneers Players Ruled Out for Season Finale vs. Saints

In this story:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be missing two players in the secondary ahead of their final regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints.
Tampa Bay is set to play a win-and-in game against the New Orleans Saints, and a victory would guarantee an NFC South crown and a trip to the playoffs. The Bucs will need all hands on deck for that game, but they'll be missing — per head coach Todd Bowles, cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., dealing with knee injuries, are both out.
Todd Bowles says that Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. are OUT Sunday. He says Cade Otton will be a game time decision. pic.twitter.com/WdEXuwSFWk
— River Wells (@riverhwells) January 3, 2025
Tight end Cade Otton, who is dealing with a knee injury and hasn't played since the team's Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, is questionable and a game-time.
Cornerback Josh Hayes should start in Dean's place. Hayes has had a bit of a rough go of it this year, allowing a passer rating of 128.2 with three receiving touchdowns given up. Without WInfield Jr. in, the secondary as a whole will need to step up vs. the Saints.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.
Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
• Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Receives More Praise From Tom Brady
• Buccaneers All-Pro Tackle Tristan Wirfs Makes MVP Case For Baker Mayfield
• Bucs Make Roster Moves Ahead Of Pivotal Week 18 Game vs. Saints

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.
Follow @riverhwells