The Bucs will be without two players on defense for their Week 18 season finale against the Saints. Head coach Todd Bowles said after Friday’s practice that cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are out for the game as each player has a knee injury. Tight end Cade Otton is likely a game time decision.

Bucs Have Been Without Their Top DBs Often This Season

Dean played 49% of the snaps last week when the Bucs defeated the Panthers, but had to exit the game early as the team announced that it was because both of knees were injured. Dean did not participate at all this week, but did stay outside and watch his teammates practice each day. This is the fifth game he’ll miss this season.

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

In replacement of Dean will be second year player Josh Hayes, who also came in for Dean last week. He has started two other games this season. Tampa Bay does get the benefit of going against a struggling offense with the Saints, but with the speed of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the potential chance, it’s likely they go after Hayes. It’ll also depend on what type of accuracy that Spencer Rattler has. On the season, Hayes has recorded 23 tackles, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

It was a nice surprise seeing Winfield even return to practicing this week. Though he did not participate on Wednesday, he was listed as limited on Thursday and was seen out there for Friday’s practice too. Bowles said that Winfield was still not ready yet. The fact that he at least got out there at least gives some hope that he could come back for a postseason run.

Tampa Bay is totally healthy at safety with Winfield out and Christian Izien on injured reserve. They at least have starter Jordan Whitehead back for the second game in a row, plus Tykee Smith in the slot and a solid backup in Mike Edwards that is good to go as the Bucs attempt to win and become NFC South division champions again.