The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading back out on the road, with a quick turnaround for a Thursday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Here are the top storylines for defending Super Bowl champs heading into Week 6:
Banged-Up Brady?
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tom Brady suffered an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand Sunday against the Dolphins, and had the injury wrapped after the game. He’s not the only NFL quarterback to be dealing with a frustrating injury after hitting his throwing hand on an opposing defender at the end of the throw, but it didn’t stop the GOAT from dropping 411 yards and 5 touchdowns on Miami, earning Brady NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He’s been limited in practice so far this week, while making it clear that he doesn’t expect the injury to slow him down Thursday night.
More Injury Updates
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Bucs have so many injuries right now that it warrants two of this week’s top storylines. While many eyes will understandably be focused on Brady’s thumb injury, there are plenty of other key players trying to work their way back from various ailments. Linebacker Lavonte David is expected to miss Thursday night’s game with an ankle injury, while outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul is playing through multiple injuries (shoulder, broken finger).
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said tight end Rob Gronkowski is “really, really close” to making it back from multiple rib fractures in time for Thursday’s game, while there’s a possibility safety Antoine Winfield Jr. gets out of concussion protocol in time to make the trip. Center Ryan Jensen (hip) and wide receiver Chris Godwin (knee/ankle) have also been limited this week, and are worth monitoring.
All-Season Lenny
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
From “Playoff Lenny” to “Lombardi Lenny,” last year’s postseason performance from running back Leonard Fournette earned him a well-deserved set of nicknames. Through five games this season, he’s proving himself to be “All-Season Lenny” (as he declared via Twitter), taking control of the Tampa Bay backfield and commanding the lion’s share of the touches. Fournette has tallied over 100 yards of total offense in each of his last two games, proving to be a valuable asset in the passing game (both as a receiver and in pass protection), as well as an efficient and effective rusher.
