Dye drops would-be first down pass Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 14 December 2015 With the Bucs trailing by a touchdown late in the final five minutes, Jameis Winston appeared to hit WR Donteea Dye on a crossing route deep down the middle to about the New Orleans 35-yard line. The completion would have converted third-and-10. It hit Dye in the chest — and he dropped it. “That’s a play you’ve got to make, one of those things you wish you had back,’’ said Dye, a reserve who played quite a bit after WR Vincent Jackson left the game in the first half with a knee injury. “I felt like that was going to be our drive and we were taking it in to tie the game.’’ Facing fourth-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s 44-yard line, the Bucs punted with 4:21 remaining. The Saints ran out the clock. Winston refused to focus on Dye’s drop. “One play doesn’t determine the outcome of the game,’’ Winston said. “There were a lot of plays that I should have made out there that would have helped us win the game.’’ Critical flag The Bucs, although out of time outs, appeared to have one final shot at a game-tying drive with 2:24 remaining when Saints QB Drew Brees was incomplete on a deep pass intended for WR Brandin Cooks. But Bucs CB Alerraun Verner was penalized for defensive holding, giving New Orleans an automatic first down. “It was man (coverage) and I guess I hooked him on his way out,’’ Verner said. “It was me just trying to make a football play. It happened and it put our team out of another chance. I feel terrible about that. I never want to be the person that puts us in that type of position.’’ Walking wounded The depth of the Buccaneers continues to be tested, as several other Tampa Bay players were hurt against the Saints. WR Vincent Jackson, who missed three games with a knee injury earlier this season, left with another knee problem after catching one pass for five yards. DT Akeem Spence suffered an ankle injury. MLB Bruce Carter, making his first start of the season in place of suspended rookie Kwon Alexander, injured an ankle. And Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy, hampered by a shoulder injury most of the year, played with a cast on his left hand after missing last week’s game. “I’ve been limited all year, but I’ve got to find a way to get it done,’’ said McCoy, credited with three tackles against the Saints. ”I couldn’t use my left hand as much as I would have liked and I’m still dealing with the shoulder. Bad day at the office.’’ The Bucs were already using a makeshift defensive line after previous injuries to Clinton McDonald, Jacquies Smith and George Johnson. “It will be a challenge,’’ Lovie Smith said, regarding the short turnaround before Thursday night’s matchup at St. Louis. “But no one really wants to hear that. It’s got to be next guy up. We still have 53 guys on the roster … we still have options.’’