The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just can’t seem to shake the injury bug - and on Thursday night, it struck again. Cornerback Zyon McCollum exited the game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hip injury suffered in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. The team listed him as questionable to return.
That’s a significant hit for a Bucs defense already stretched thin. McCollum has been a consistent presence in the secondary all season, starting all 13 games and entering Thursday with 45 tackles, six pass breakups, and a pick to his name. He’s been one of the few constants in a unit that’s been forced to shuffle personnel more often than they'd like.
And Tampa Bay’s injury list was already a long one heading into this matchup. Tight end Cade Otton, linebacker SirVocea Dennis, and safety Tykee Smith were all sidelined with various ailments. It’s been a war of attrition for this team, and losing McCollum - even temporarily - only adds to the challenge.
There was at least one bright spot on the health front: Mike Evans made his return to the lineup. The veteran wideout had been out since Week 7 with a calf injury, and his absence was felt in a big way.
Without him, the Bucs offense lost its vertical threat and red zone reliability. Getting Evans back on the field gives quarterback Baker Mayfield a much-needed weapon as the Bucs try to claw their way back into playoff form.
Across the field, the Falcons weren’t immune to the injury woes either. Cornerback Mike Hughes went down in the first half with an ankle injury and, like McCollum, was also listed as questionable to return. For both teams, these injuries come at the worst possible time - with the playoff race heating up and the margin for error shrinking by the week.
The timing of McCollum’s injury couldn’t be worse for Tampa Bay. The Bucs have dropped four of their last five games, including a tough 24-20 loss to the Saints in Week 14.
They’re clinging to playoff hopes in a tightly packed NFC South, where they’re currently tied with the Carolina Panthers at 7-6. Every game matters, and every loss could be the difference between hosting a playoff game and watching from home in January.
As of the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay held a 28-14 lead over Atlanta - a much-needed cushion in a must-win game. But the focus will now shift to McCollum’s status moving forward. The 26-year-old corner signed a three-year, $48 million extension in the offseason after a breakout campaign last year, and he’s become a key piece in the Bucs’ defensive puzzle.
If Tampa Bay is going to make a legitimate playoff push, they’ll need McCollum - and a few others - back on the field sooner rather than later.