The Bucs had done as good of a job as any team in the league in avoiding COVID-19 issues all season long, but the virus has reared its ugly head at a record level across the country and Tampa Bay was no longer able to avoid it.
The team announced that inside linebacker Devin White, pass-rushing outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and nose tackle Steve McLendon were placed on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday and will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
According to reports White has actually tested positive and that would put him out of the Bucs first playoff game next weekend due to a minimum 10-day required quarantine.
White must isolate for 10 days, meaning he most likely will miss the first playoff game. https://t.co/3r3u6Se62T
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 1, 2021
Barrett could be back in time for the playoffs however, as reports suggested that he was just a close contact and would only miss five days if he continues to test negative.
Shaq Barrett’s wife, Jordanna Barrett, posted on Instagram that Shaq Barrett’s placement on the Reserve/COVID-19 list is due to being a close contact of someone who tested positive. He will quarantine for the next five days.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) January 1, 2021
Mark Cook currently is the director of editorial content and Bucs beat writer and has written for PewterReport.com since 2011. Cook has followed the Buccaneers since 1977 when he first began watching football with his Dad and is fond of the 1979 Bucs team that came within 10 points of going to a Super Bowl. His favorite Bucs game is still the 1979 divisional playoff win 24-17 over the Eagles. In his spare time Cook enjoys playing guitar, fishing, the beach and family time.Cook is a native of Pinecrest in Eastern Hillsborough County and has written for numerous publications including the Tampa Tribune, In the Field and Ya'll Magazine. Cook can be reached at [email protected]
