On Tuesday, Bucs outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account about “setbacks”. Earlier in the day, head coach Bruce Arians said Pierre-Paul was not at practice due to a shoulder injury. Now it appears that Pierre-Paul was on his way to Colorado for a second opinion on his shoulder. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the second opinion recommended rest for the Bucs veteran, a designation that makes Pierre-Paul unlikely to be active in Week 3.
#Bucs LB Jason Pierre-Paul had a second opinion on his shoulder and rest was the recommendation, source said. While no firm determination has been made, that likely leaves JPP inactive this week to heal up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2021
The second opinion revealed the best case scenario for the outside linebacker, who already receives veteran days off. Losing Pierre-Paul’s versatility in the lineup will be missed. Todd Bowles loves to move the outside linebacker around, including dropping him into coverage. The injury comes at an especially bad time with one the the toughest opponents on the Bucs schedule in the Rams.
With Pierre-Paul unlikely to go Sunday, rookie Joe Tryon-Shoyinka should get his first start. Tryon-Shoyinka is already one of the Bucs best one-on-one edge rushers. Giving him a bigger role in this defense was inevitable with the way he has played through two weeks. Outside linebacker Anthony Nelson will likely see an increased role as well. In Week 2, Tryon-Shoyinka played 19 snaps and recorded two pressures. Nelson picked up 14 snaps against the Falcons, after seven in Week 1.
Tryon time. Throw him into the fire and let him eat. Cycle Anthony Nelson and Pat O’Connor in and out to keep him fresh.
Jason Pierre-Paul is strong like bull. Could easily fly from Colorado to LA
Sucks. Maybe now Khalil Davis will be active this week. We could use someone quick and twitchy on the interior DL on passing downs..
Take the job, and run with it boy!
The possible absence of JPP and AB could make a big difference this week. Now we should get a better idea of the mettle of this year’s team. Who will step up, indeed?
It’s a long season with 17 games now. Running the table just got harder! (Yes, I know I’m just saying the obvious here. Duh.)
Tryon Tryon!
We could always use JPP in the lineup. But even with him in the lineup in the first two games this season, our pass rush has been anemic, putting way too much pressure on our young and inexperienced and banged up secondary. Either our pass rushers are going to have to put on a clinic this Sunday against the Rams, or TB-12 is going to have to have another 4 or 5 touchdown day, because without a pass rush this is going to be a shoot-out. Tryon is very good, but he’s still a rookie and there is lots he… Read more »
Tell his shoulder we only want it to work one day a week. It can have the other six days off.
All hands on this deck required against the Rams. Go Bucs! Keep the Repeat alive!
This is why we drafted Tryon. Tryon was going to be the guy at some point. This is valuable experience for him going forward. We got lucky last year with injuries and to expect the same luck this year would’ve been foolish. This season is a marathon. not a sprint. adding another game was like adding 20 more games onto an MLB season. It becomes more about depth now more than ever and an NFL season was already grueling we need to make sure we are healthy and playing our best at the end. Sure I’d love to see us… Read more »
JPP has been pretty quiet the first two games and now we know why. Rest him. Get him healthy. Put the young guys in to play in prime time to see what they got. It’s a long season and we’ll need him down the stretch.
Time to put a claim in on Licht’s insurance policy called Tryon-Shoyinka. Over the years Licht has taken his share of criticism but he seems to always be prepared with “next man up”. Vea, Carlton Davis, now Shoyinka, next Jose Borregales. Giving credit when credit is due.