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They arrived in the Midwest as healthy as one could reasonably expect for an NFL team in the season's 12th week. But barely five minutes into Sunday's contest in Indianapolis, the Bucs had three starters sidelined.
Cornerback Jamel Dean (shoulder), inside linebacker Devin White (hip) and left guard Aaron Stinnie (knee) all were deemed questionable to return by the game's fourth possession. Dee
Delaney replaced Dean, while Kevin Minter and Nick Leverett stepped in for White and Stinnie, respectively. Kick returner Jaelon Darden joined the sidelined guys late in the second half with concussion-like symptoms. "I think we played six minutes and lost four starters in this game," Arians said. "So you say, 'Okay, this is going to be a long one.'"
White ultimately returned, finishing with only three tackles. Leverett, essentially the third-string left guard (starter Ali Marpet was inactive with an abdominal injury) was whistled for holding and a false start and was responsible for at least one of Tom Brady's sacks, but Arians said he'd get a game ball.
Missing from the injury list was nose tackle Vita Vea, who lost an upper front tooth when Colts guard Mark Glowinski's helmet smashed into his chin strap in the second quarter.
"I don't care," Arians said. "He's got 30 other ones."
Joey Knight, The Tampa Times, published 29 November 2021
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