Todd Bowles got the kind of injury update the Buccaneers were hoping for after Jacob Parrish left Sunday’s loss to the Bengals.
Tampa Bay fell 33-27 in Week 1, but the bigger worry came when Parrish, one of the team’s starting corners, walked off the field with a back injury and was ruled out as the second half got underway. With the Buccaneers already dealing with thin cornerback depth, the concern was obvious.
Bowles eased that anxiety Monday. He said Parrish is dealing with a back sprain, and further testing didn’t turn up anything more serious.
"He just has a back sprain," Bowles said Monday. "Both X-ray and MRI came back negative, so it's just a matter of getting over the soreness."
That leaves the issue more about pain tolerance than a long-term setback. For Tampa Bay, that’s a meaningful break.
The team has been high on Parrish all offseason, especially with his shift from nickel last year to the outside this season. If he’s able to recover quickly, the Buccaneers may not have to alter much at all in their defensive plan.
If Parrish can’t go because he’s still too sore, Benjamin Morrison appears ready to step in again. He handled the spot well after Parrish exited on Sunday, finishing with four solo tackles and a tackle for loss. Still, the Buccaneers would clearly rather have Parrish available after the promise he showed during the offseason.
Tampa Bay’s next test comes in its home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 20. The Buccaneers will be watching Parrish closely this week, but Morrison is there if they need him again.
In Other News...
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Todd Bowles Just Sent An Encouraging Message About Bucs Rookie WR
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There is still development ahead, as Bowles made clear, but the early usage suggests the Bucs are willing to trust Hurst quickly. For a young receiver trying to carve out a role, the combination of playing time and a solid debut matters, especially on a team that will keep looking for reliable options to complement its passing game. The question now is how much more the rookie can add as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]