After Wednesday’s practice, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians gave an update on cornerback Jamel Dean’s injury status.

“He practiced today”, Arians said. “He’s a little sore but he’s practicing.”

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Dean had avoided a serious knee injury. It was expected that he would miss some time but the fact that he was out practicing bodes well for his status Sunday. It’s a good thing because the team will need him. Dean has had an up and down season thus far. After a tough performance against the Dallas Cowboys he rebounded versus the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll need to have a good game against the Patriots in order to not become the forgotten man in this cornerback room, especially when Sean Murphy-Bunting returns.

Arians and newly signed corner Richard Sherman said today that unless there is significant injury, the corner is more than likely to play next week against the Miami Dolphins. The Bucs have been struggling to find consistent play from the corner group all season long. They recently signed cornerbacks Pierre Desir and Rashard Robinson to the practice squad and protected both players this week in advance of their game against the New England Patriots.