|
|
 |
Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times, published 1 October 2018
It won't be memorable in terms of the score, but three Bucs rookies made their NFL debut Sunday at Soldier Field. Defensive tackle Vita Vea did not record a tackle, but at times, he pushed the pocket and made Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky have to reset his feet.
Running back Ronald Jones led the Bucs with 10 carries for 29 yards with a long run of seven yards. He also caught two passes for minus-two yards and dropped another pass. Receiver Justin Watson had one special teams tackle but no targets on offense.
"Well, Ronald needed to just get an opportunity to get out there and play his first game. And so he gave good effort, but no one off the top of my head could I say was good enough today, and I'm not singling Ron out. We had three rookies make their debut today: Ronald, Vita and Justin Watson. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good day for anyone out there.''
INJURIES
TE O.J. Howard suffered an injured knee in the first half and did not return to the game. The Bucs had no update on Howard after the game, and he will be evaluated Monday. CB Carlton Davis aggravated a groin injury in the second half and did not return to the game.
GRIMES BENCHED
After Bears QB Mitch Trubisky threw five touchdown passes in the first half, the Bucs benched CB Brent Grimes with the team trailing 38-3. He was replaced by CB Ryan Smith, who did not play any snaps on defense last Monday night against the Steelers. Koetter said it was an opportunity to get Smith more playing time. "We wanted to get Ryan Smith in there, and he played well. He played well in Week 2, and we wanted to get him back in there.''
|
|
|
| |
| |
|