Who Will Play on Saturday?
During the preseason slate, starters are typically on a pitch count and play sparingly, if at all as a precaution to avoid injury prior to the start of the regular season. The Bucs' depth has been tested at both receiver and in the secondary due to a slew of injuries and when asked by reporters if starters will play on Saturday against the Bills in Preseason Week Three, Head Coach Todd Bowles gave a definitive no.
"There will be no starters playing on Saturday," said Bowles.
He noted that quarterback Kyle Trask will likely start out the preseason finale and then the staff will go from there, likely putting in Teddy Bridgewater and Connor Bazelak for further evaluation.
DB Christian Izien Status
Christian Izien, the Bucs' positionless wonder, suffered an oblique injury in the team's week two preseason clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bowles confirmed that his injury could linger into the regular season and as of now, he is "week-to-week."
"Right now, he's week-to-week, I would say," described Bowles. "It's a pain tolerance thing with him so I'm not sure."
The Buccaneers went into the Week Two matchup without seven defensive backs who were dealing with various injuries including cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison, Tyrek Funderburk, Josh Hayes, Bryce Hall and Roman Parodie, along with safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and J.J. Roberts. Winfield returned to practice after missing several weeks with a lower-leg injury but Izien, the versatile chess piece at free safety and nickel, is rehabbing his way back to game action. The quick-twitch athlete possesses explosiveness and physicality as a high-volume tackler.
Jacob Parrish Ascension
With the laundry list of injuries in the Bucs' secondary, third-round selection Jacob Parrish has been a bright spot throughout training camp and the preseason. Parrish has shown his hip fluidity and precise footwork in transition, posting multiple pass breakups. He quickly closes on the football and offers position flexibility. He has primarily been lining up as the nickel defender in the Bucs' system and pairs elite speed with a knack for swiping away passes and disrupting releases. Parrish has displayed his ability to blanket receivers at the NFL level and Assistant General Manager Rob McCartney gave the rookie high praise for his contributions thus far on the grass.
"It's been great," noted McCartney. "He was kind of like that since day one of rookie minicamp. [He had] another great practice today. We just keep stacking days and that's all we can ask from him right now. He's had really good practices and really good in-stadium stuff, too. I think he's ready to go. We're obviously very excited about him."
