Todd Bowles Bucs’ team entered Sunday’s game against the Commanders banged up at one defensive position group, but left it even more banged up at another.

The cornerback room was decimated by injuries, with Zyon McCollum (concussion), Bryce Hall (ankle), and Josh Hayes (ankle) each leaving the game and being ruled out to return. With Tyrek Funderburk a gameday inactive, it left Jamel Dean as the last man standing at the position.

It took some out-of-position work by Christian Izien to get the team through, but as they head up to Detroit looking to exact revenge against the Lions this week, Tampa Bay cannot afford to be as thin at the position.

Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon after the game, the head coach provided a grim update on one cornerback, while sharing the latest injury news for the rest of the team’s cornerbacks and the defensive line.

Could more additions be on their way?

Todd Bowles Has Injury Updates On Injured Defensive Backs

Bucs HC Todd Bowles And CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

“Bryce [Hall] is definitely out,” Todd Bowles said. “We’ll see about [Josh] Hayes. We’ll see about Zyon [McCollum]. Obviously ‘Win’ [Antoine Winfield Jr.] was in a boot, we’ll see about him later on in the week as well.”

After Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reported that Hall dislocated his right ankle and fractured his fibula, Bowles did not have a positive update on whether he would be able to return later in the year.

“Haven’t heard all that [about Hall possibly coming back late in the season],” Bowles said. “From what I know, it’s probably season-ending. I’m pretty sure he should [get surgery].”

As for Josh Hayes, Bowles stated that his X-ray has not come back yet as he got it earlier Monday morning. After suffering a concussion, the team should not bank on Zyon McCollum clearing concussion protocol in time to practice and face the Lions.

Bucs CB Bryce Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

All of this means that reinforcements are needed.

One does not have to go back too far to when Bowles, then the team’s defensive coordinator, had to make do with having no healthy cornerbacks. Back in 2021, the team had to sign Richard Sherman and Pierre Desir off the street and play Dee Delaney heavily when they had no other options.

“I’ve been in different positions where they have been hurt before, but we have guys that got to step up,” Bowles added. “A couple of years ago [in 2021], our corners were down and we had [Dee] Delaney and Pierre Desir and a lot of guys step up in that situation.

“You make this team for a reason, guys got to play. We have to see something in them for them to make this team and they got to go out there and play.”

Who Will Step Up In The CB Room, Could Bucs Add Someone From Outside?

When asked about whether he is open to bringing in help, Todd Bowles did not shut it down.

“We’ll see how these guys do and eventually we’ll work something out,” Bowles said. “If we need to get somebody, we’ll get somebody.”

There were already question marks about the team’s depth at the cornerback position heading into the season. Jamel Dean and Tyrek Funderburk are the only two healthy cornerbacks on the roster. Reserve safety and nickelback Christian Izien filled in admirably on Sunday afternoon, playing 31 defensive snaps on the outside. But the Bucs don’t have any cornerbacks on the practice squad right now.

Bucs DB Christian Izien – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Still, with Antoine Winfield Jr. wearing a walking boot and the team needing to see where is at, the second-year defensive back may have to slot in elsewhere.

“We’ll see where Winfield is first,” Bowles said. “If not, [Izien]’s going to have to play safety, so we’ll see where that is.”

Without any cornerbacks on the practice squad, the only other cornerback in the organization is Funderburk, the undrafted rookie out of Appalachian State. He did not play at all on Sunday, as he continues to get back into shape after missing the preseason.

“I thought he needed a week to get in shape and back in football shape, but if he has to play this week, I’m very comfortable in him playing,” Bowles added. “We think he is a very good football player, just hasn’t been out there yet.”

Todd Bowles Speaks Highly Of Bucs D-Linemen Who Filled In For Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The big storyline heading into Week 1 before all of the secondary injuries was that defensive linemen Calijah Kancey (calf) and Logan Hall (foot) were out.

Todd Bowles provided an injury update on Kancey.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the same [calf he injured last year],” Bowles said. “He aggravated it on Friday.”

It is not a good sign for Kancey to be injured at the beginning of the regular season — with the same injury. With both the team’s 2023 first-round pick and Hall on the mend, it left the defensive trenches thinned out.

When asked if either will be ready to go for Week 2, Bowles said, “We’ll see.”

He did mention that the defensive linemen who were elevated from the practice squad and new addition Ben Stille played well considering the circumstances.

“We’re trying to shut down the run, Bowles said. “A lot of them guys are run-oriented playing-wise. We just got to get a better push in the pass rush from there, but those guys played in the preseason. [C.J.] Brewer has been here for two years now, if not a little longer than that. Obviously Mike Greene has been here before he got hurt last year, and he’s been here this year. [Ben] Stille is probably the new guy still learning, but we have faith in those guys playing football. Probably not as quick as Logan [Hall], not as quick as [Calijah] Kancey, but they play good ball.”