The depleted Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster took another hit Tuesday as the team announced it’s placement of wide receiver Vincent Jackson on injured reserve with a knee injury.
An MRI revealed damage to Jackson’s ACL a day after the Bucs announced that fellow wideout Louis Murphy will start his reserve/physically unable to perform 21-day practice period. Jackson’s injury occurred during the Bucs’ 17-14 road win two weeks ago at Carolina. Jackson played the entire game and made three catches for 36 yards.
The team also issued a statement from Jackson in Tuesday’s press release: “This is obviously very disappointing for me personally. I had high hopes for this season because I know what we are capable of accomplishing as a team. My top priority going into every season is being out there with my teammates and helping my team any way possible. While I may not be on the field for the foreseeable future, I will be focused on beginning my rehab as soon as possible and finding ways to support my teammates in whatever way I can.”
Jackson, 33, was playing in his 12th professional season and caught 15 balls for 173 yards prior to the injury.
“Any time you lose a player and team leader of Vincent’s caliber, it is a setback for your team,” head coach Dirk Koetter said in the press release. “Vincent is a very tough-minded player and a great competitor. Even though he doesn’t recall when he injured his knee, he was still out there the entire game and made two crucial catches on our final drive to set up the game-winning field goal. I know that being placed on Injured Reserve is difficult for him, but I also know he will maintain a strong presence in our locker room and will help our younger guys prepare and develop because that’s the type of team-first leader he is.”
Jackson now joins four other Bucs on the IR. The others are LB Devante Bond, DE George Johnson, RB Charles Sims and DE Jacquies Smith. Offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy has been on the PUP list all season.
This latest setback leaves Tampa Bay with four healthy wide receivers on the active roster: Mike Evans, Adam Humphries, Russell Shepard and Cecil Shorts. Donteaa Dye and Freddie Martino are on the practice squad.
