Buccaneers defense to get major boost with return of two stars

As the Buccaneers prepare for their wild-card matchup, they are set to have a pair of key defensive starters back in the lineup. Tampa Bay’s secondary figures to receive two notable boosts in time for Sunday.

Head coach Todd Bowles said on Friday that safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and cornerback Jamel Dean are set to play this week, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Both players were listed as full participants for Friday, and they are officially listed as questionable. Their respective returns to the lineup will be significant.

Winfield suffered a knee sprain one month ago, and it quickly became clear he would miss notable time. The All-Pro had already been sidelined by an ankle and foot sprain earlier in the season, and his absence was one of the factors influencing Tampa Bay’s underwhelming performance in many defensive categories this year. The Bucs elected not to place Winfield on injured reserve, though, and despite not being able to play in the waning stages of the regular season, he will be back for the playoffs.

Dean was limited to 12 games this season as a result of his hamstring injury. The 28-year-old landed on injured reserve as a result, but at the first opportunity to do so, he was activated. Dean managed a run of six straight games upon returning to the lineup, but he was absent for Tampa Bay’s regular-season finale because of a knee injury. Considering the Bucs finished the season ranked 29th against the pass in 2024, having as many available options in the secondary as possible will be a welcomed sight.

By virtue of winning the NFC South, Tampa Bay is set to host Washington Sunday night. The Buccaneers offense will be leaned on after the unit finished in the top four in the NFL in both points and yards per game this season. The team’s defense will welcome Winfield and Dean back into the picture, though, while attempting to generate a postseason run.