The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a torn ACL, and they will be going to another veteran in his place. Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter announced earlier this week that Cecil Shorts will start opposite Mike Evans. Adam Humphries will get plenty of work as well, but he remains the first wide receiver off the bench. Shorts has missed the Bucs last three games with a hamstring injury, and was listed as questionable for the game.
The Bucs will likely focus their efforts on the ground, but the matchups against Evans, Shorts, and Humphries will be something to track. Tramaine Brock will start, and it appears Jimmie Ward will be starting as well. Rashard Robinson is listed as questionable with a concussion, so we are left to wait until 11:35 a.m. PT to see if he will be active or inactive.
If Robinson is active, I am not sure who moves where when the team goes into the nickel. Ward has experience inside, so we could see some of that. Keith Reaser is an option as well. If Robinson does not play, Reaser is the definite first cornerback off the bench. At the same time, given the 49ers struggles against the run in passing downs, Jaquiski Tartt will likely get even more playing time in the team’s sub-packages, and be the first defensive back off the bench.