With injuries depleting their defensive secondary the Bucs are in sore need for some replacements. The team is dealing with Bryce Hall’s leg injury which will keep him out of action for the remainder of the year. Hall fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle in the second half on Tampa Bay’s 37-20 win over Washington in Week 1. Unfortunately he will finish his first season in red and pewter on the injured reserve list.
Zyon McCollum left Sunday’s game against the Commanders to be evaluated for a concussion in the first half and Hall replaced him. When fourth-string cornerback Josh Hayes suffered an ankle injury it forced Christian Izien, a reserve free safety and the team’s nickelback last year, to finish the game at outside cornerback.
The Bucs are hopeful that McCollum and Hayes can be ready to play in Detroit in Week 2, but in an effort to bolster their depth they are re-signing cornerback Keenan Isaac. Head coach Todd Bowles preferred bringing back Isaac who knows his scheme as opposed to someone else who might be a “bigger name,” but not know the defense.
Pewter Report discussed the possibility of Isaac re-signing with Tampa Bay on X on Monday.
Isaac was on Tampa Bay’s practice squad throughout 2023 as well as the 2024 preseason before being cut last week. Former Bucs offensive coordinator, and current Panthers head coach, Dave Canales claimed Isaac off of waivers, but Carolina released Isaac the day before their season opener against the Saints.
Keenan Issac’s Familiarity With Bucs Scheme Was Key To His Re-Signing
Given Keenan Isaac’s familiarity with Tampa Bay’s defensive system he makes a logical choice to fill in as CB5 behind Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk.
Funderburk was recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of action in the final two preseason games and that was partly the reason why he was inactive for Week 1, but he did fully practice with the team. Funderburk will be active going forward and could get his first NFL start if neither McCollum (concussion) or Hayes (ankle) can play against the Detroit Lions.
Isaac played well in the preseason earning an 87.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing just one catch on two targets over 57 coverage reps. He made an impressive interception in the first preseason game against the Cincinatti Bengals. Isaac has impressive length at 6-foot-3, and uses it well despite lackluster speed. Isaac plays well as primarily a Cover 3 corner and that makes him a good fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
The reason why the team chose Funderburk over Isaac is twofold. Funderburk is tougher and a better tackler in coverage and in run support, and he also has positional flexibility as he can play both outside and inside. Isaac is strictly an outside cornerback given his length.
