Bucs assistant head coach Harold Goodwin ruled out two defensive starters for Sunday’s game at the New York Jets. Goodwin, who is filling in for Bruce Arians this week due to the head coach testing positive for COVID-19, said that starting outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul would not play versus the Jets.

“Right now, Shaq and JPP are the only two that are out,” Goodwin said.

Barrett has a minor ACL/MCL sprain that he suffered last week in the 32-6 win at Carolina. Pierre-Paul missed that game as he is dealing with a torn rotator cuff that has caused him to miss a total of four games this season, including last week’s game at the Panthers. Neither player practiced all week and Barrett is not expected to return until the playoffs.

“I’m not quite sure because I don’t know all of the ins and outs,” Goodwin said. “He’s been out here working out the last couple of days. I know for a fact he was here yesterday conditioning, trying to keep his body in shape. And I know he’s banged up – he’s not a spring chicken anymore. So at the end of the day we have to try to take care of him and hopefully he comes when we get to the playoffs. And hopefully he plays like he did towards the end of last year during that Super Bowl run.”

The Bucs are expected to start Anthony Nelson and rookie Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in place of Barrett and Pierre-Paul. Tryon-Shoyinka has four sacks on the season, while Nelson has three sacks. Cam Gill will be first reserve outside linebacker and the Bucs are expected to elevate Elijah Ponder from the practice squad.