In a season where injuries have come at every turn, it feels like the Bucs are getting good injury news for the first time in quite a while. Tampa Bay announced on Monday that they have opened up the 21-day practice window for starting cornerback Jamel Dean to come off of injured reserve. Dean can be activated to the active roster at any time over the next three weeks.

Dean has missed the previous four games due to a hamstring injury. The four games are the minimum amount of games required to be out for when placing a player on injured reserve, plus he gains an extra week with the Bucs on a bye. He was initially hurt in Week 6 when the Bucs defeated the Saints 51-27 on the road. Dean exited the game early in that one, playing just 10 defensive snaps.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs Defense Gets A Huge Boost

The return of Dean comes at a welcomed time. The Bucs are gearing up for a playoff run and essentially need to either win out or go 6-1 down the stretch. Amongst several factors for why Tampa Bay has gotten into a 4-6 hole, the poor defensive play, specifically in the passing game, is at the top of the list.

Ranked 30th in the league with 389.3 yards allowed per game and also 30th with 264.1 passing yards allowed per game, Tampa Bay just hasn’t had the answers to get stops when necessary. Although the Bucs have gotten good play from starting cornerback Zyon McCollum, that has not been the case on the other side.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Once Dean was out, Tampa Bay went with rookie undrafted free agent Tyrek Funderburk to start for the next two games. When he struggled, the Bucs opted for Josh Hayes, who didn’t give much better results. Opponents continuously picked on whoever was on that side and it constantly hurt the defense.

In their last game against the 49ers, McCollum tweaked a hamstring late meaning that Hayes and Funderburk were on together as the two corners. It wasn’t all their fault, but San Francisco was able to drive down the field in a little over 40 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal and win. One could only wonder how it would’ve gone if Dean and McCollum were available.

Dean has 43 tackles and four pass breakups in six games this season. He will not save the Bucs, but he certainly makes them a better group with him in. Tampa Bay has yet to record an interception since that game against the Saints when Dean last played, so maybe his return could help spark a play coming up in their next game.