It’s not often you see Bucs linebacker Devin White exit a football game. When he does, you know the injury could be potentially serious. That was the fear when White bowed out in the first half of the Bucs 38-31 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. But White returned for the second half despite a hip injury. After the game, Arians made it clear that the third-year linebacker wasn’t 100 percent.

“He did finish the game,” Arians said. “It wasn’t (typical) Devin, but he did finish the game. He gutted it out.”

White was limited in practice the following week, but played every snap against the Falcons in Week 13. White struggled for much of the game, but he didn’t appear more physically limited than normal. The LSU product finished with ten tackles against Atlanta. Speaking on Bucs Total Access this week, Arians elaborated on White’s performance.

“Devin still isn’t where Devin needs to be,” Arians said. “He’s still playing…he’s sucking it up for the team and playing hurt. And it shows a little bit. But I thought his pass drops and pass coverage was pretty good.”

Bucs HC Bruce Arians and LB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

White hasn’t had the breakout season many envisioned before the year began, but he was coming on strong in recent weeks. The hip injury seems to have slowed that progress, which raises questions as the season moves forward. Will White be able to play at the level he’s proven capable of, especially in the playoffs last year?

The good news is that White did not appear on Wednesday’s practice injury report. So it seems he is on the path to full recovery from his Week 12 injury.

You can listen to Bucs Total Access with team reporter Casey Phillips in its’ exceptional entirety right here.