No one wants to get injured in a game, let alone the first game of the season. But that was the harsh reality Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting faced after dislocating his elbow in Week 1 against the Cowboys. He hasn’t been on the field since, but looking at the game through a different lenses has given him a new look at a football.

“Throughout the time that I was out,” Murphy-Bunting said. “I got to look at football in a different light. I was out at the practices, but I wasn’t a player. Instead, I had a mindset of a coach. I was trying to make sure guys knew what they were doing.”

Another big part of it was seeking out the advice of veteran corner Richard Sherman and getting his take on the game. You can’t put a price on learning from a potential Hall of Famer like that. Even though Murphy-Bunting hasn’t been playing, he’s been better for it.

“Just picking guys’ brains, like Sherman,” Murphy-Bunting said. “Just seeing what he would do in different situations. It put me in a different perspective. It allowed me to see football for what football is and I got to see every aspect of it. Honestly, it was a blessing in disguise because I’ve never really gotten a chance to sit down and [dissect] football. It was a game changer for me. It kind of made me look at things a lot differently. The way I attack each and every day is a lot different now.”

Now, Murphy-Bunting is ready to get back in action. During the bye week, the Bucs opened his 21-day window to return to the active roster. Murphy-Bunting will likely be activated in Week 10 or 11.

Bucs CB Sean Murphy-Bunting- Photo by USA Today

Head coach Bruce Arians seems pleased with Murphy-Bunting’s return to practice. Early in the week, Murphy-Bunting wasn’t using his arm much. But defensive coordinator Todd Bowles remarked on Thursday that Murphy-Bunting was “using the elbow comfortably” in practice. It’s been a while since the cornerback has been able to participate with his teammates, but Murphy-Bunting could play on Sunday.

“It was a long eight weeks,” Murphy-Bunting said. “Coming out here every day just putting my head down. Really just trying to get back to being on the field and being able to contribute with the guys that I started with. That’s been my main goal this entire process. Just doing everything I can to get back with them.”

If Murphy-Bunting can play in Week 10, the Bucs would have four of their starting five defensive backs in action. Top cornerback Carlton Davis remains out with a quad injury suffered in Week 4. Murphy-Bunting will likely start at left outside cornerback, with Jamel Dean on the right side. Veteran Ross Cockrell should remain in the slot, as he has all season.

The Bucs travel to Washington D.C. to take on The Football Team on Sunday at 1pm.