The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without safety Antoine Winfield Jr., tight end Rob Gronkowski and defensive end Pat O’Connor against the Miami Dolphins this week, coach Bruce Arians said Friday.
Winfield, who recorded an interception and forced a fumble in the Buccaneers’ 19-17 victory at the New England Patriots before missing the final two drives with a concussion, could not clear the concussion protocol. Mike Edwards, who had two pick-sixes in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, will get the nod.
Gronkowski will miss his second game after fracturing his ribs and suffering what Arians described as a “small pinch” in his lungs two weeks ago at the Los Angeles Rams. Gronkowski was able to progress to riding a stationary bike this week, Arians said.
O’Connor, who is sidelined with a calf injury, has played 91.06% of special-teams snaps for the Buccaneers this season — by far the most of any Tampa Bay player in that category. The Buccaneers are looking at possibly bringing Cam Gill back from injured reserve to fill that role.
On a positive note for the Buccaneers, cornerback Jamel Dean, who missed last week with a knee injury, is expected to be active against the Dolphins, meaning they will have one original starting cornerback on the field after Carlton Davis was placed on injured reserve this week with a quad injury.
“He’s full-speed. He’s fine,” Arians said of Dean, although he is still determining whether he will start. If not, Pierre Desir, who stepped in for Davis in the second half against the Patriots, likely would start.
Outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, who missed the past two games with shoulder and wrist injuries, will also return.
“He’s ready to roll,” Arians said.
