TAMPA ? All of a sudden, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could use a player like Tanard Jackson, the free safety who became eligible last Thursday for reinstatement from an indefinite league-mandated suspension.
The team lost Jackson?s replacement, second-year pro Cody Grimm, to a right knee injury during Sunday?s win over the Falcons, and the sight of Grimm walking around on crutches with his knee in a brace didn?t suggest he?ll be back anytime soon.
Grimm is scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday, and there?s a chance he could have suffered his second season-ending injury in as many years. Should that prove to be the case, the Bucs will probably lean on special teams standout Corey Lynch to fill in.
Lynch filled in a year ago when Grimm went down in Week 12 with a broken leg and performed admirably. He did the same Sunday, breaking up a pass during a crucial fourth quarter defensive stop. The Bucs will also get Larry Asante into the mix.
Asante probably has better ball skills that Lynch, but Lynch has a knack for making big plays. There?s also Jackson to consider.
He could be allowed back at any time, but with his future and the state of his conditioning unknown, he seems like a long shot to regain his starting role. ?
Weakside linebacker Geno Hayes was also knocked out of Sunday?s game. Hayes suffered what the Bucs referred to as a ?head? injury?the team did not say concussion?on the same play in which Grimm was injured.
Hayes left the game late and never returned. He was replaced by Adam Hayward, who has filled in well as a spot starter in the past and played a big part in the team?s pressure packages against the Falcons on Sunday.
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