Bucs lose three cornerbacks to harm in win

TAMPA, Fla. — The final time Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup security/nickelback Christian Izien lined up at exterior cornerback was his sophomore yr at Erasmus Corridor Excessive Faculty In Flatbush, New York, in 2015. However within the Bucs’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the Bucs misplaced three of 4 lively cornerbacks to harm — together with Bryce Hall being carted off the sphere — forcing Izien right into a precarious place.

“It wasn’t on my bucket record immediately,” mentioned Izien, who lined up reverse starter Jamel Dean, the lone wholesome cornerback by the second half. “There wasn’t an opportunity in hell that I would ever step out at exterior nook, however the staff wanted me so that is what needed to be performed.”

He hadn’t even taken a observe snap on the place, having spent this offseason studying the protection function after beginning final season at nickelback.

“He had not lined up at cornerback at some point in coaching camp however he performs nickel, so nickel and nook have the roles on sure issues,” coach Todd Bowles mentioned, including, “He’s sensible sufficient and he’s feisty sufficient and difficult sufficient that for those who put him on the market, he’ll make some performs.”

The Bucs misplaced beginning cornerback Zyon McCollum to a concussion within the first quarter after a collision with Commanders operating again Brian Robinson Jr.

Subsequent, cornerback Josh Hayes, a reserve nook and one of many staff’s high particular groups performers, appeared to lose his footing whereas making an attempt to make a sort out on a kickoff one play earlier than the top of the second quarter.

Then Corridor, the Bucs’ high reserve, was carted off the sphere with 13:06 to go within the third quarter when he bought rolled up on throughout a run by Robinson. Trainers immobilized his proper leg in an air solid. Each he and Hayes left the locker room after the sport on crutches.

Corridor suffered a dislocated proper ankle and fractured fibula, a supply mentioned, confirming a report by NFL Community. The Bucs have been awaiting additional testing Monday on Hayes’ harm.

“They really informed me earlier than halftime,” Izien mentioned. “When Josh went down within the kickoff protection earlier than halftime, they informed me like, if something would occur, you are the subsequent nook in. So it was at the back of my thoughts however I actually did not suppose it might occur.”

Izien completed the sport with two tackles and didn’t permit a reception when focused on two throws.

“I wasn’t anticipating all corners that we had lively — three of them would get damage,” Dean mentioned. “That was the right instance of ‘subsequent man up.’ [Izien is] a pure athlete so he was in a position to keep on the market. I used to be on the market simply telling him, ‘Hey, that is what we will do.’ That is the fantastic thing about it, that he is a pure athlete and may simply go on the market and play a place he by no means practiced. Salute to him. I am glad for him.”

Left sort out Tristan Wirfs mentioned the offense wasn’t even conscious that defenders have been enjoying out of place — solely that Corridor had been carted off the sphere.

“That is powerful,” Wirfs mentioned. “These guys have been balling. … [They] have been getting after it. That is what you bought to do — subsequent man up. That is the mentality all of us have.”

Extensive receiver Chris Godwin added, “It is a powerful tradition over there. I am positive none of them got here into this recreation anticipating that they have been going to be down to 1 wholesome nook. However hats off to them for with the ability to step up and to make the performs when wanted. It is simply … it is a powerful league. Accidents occur sadly. For guys to have the ability to step up and execute at a excessive degree — towards NFL guys, they have good guys over there — it was no small feat to have the ability to step in and make these performs.”

Bowles mentioned the staff would watch for additional testing earlier than figuring out whether or not exterior assist might be wanted. Rookie Tyrek Funderburk, an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State, had a powerful camp with a number of interceptions however missed a good portion of it with a foot harm. He was inactive Sunday however practiced totally each day this week.

Requested whether or not Funderburk could be prepared for the Bucs’ Week 2 highway recreation on the Detroit Lions, Bowles mentioned, “He is positively going to need to be on deck.”