TAMPA, Fla. ― Bucs outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett has been lost for the season to a torn Achilles suffered in Thursday night’s home loss to the Ravens, coach Todd Bowles confirmed Friday.
A two-time Pro Bowler who had been struggling this season, Barrett was having a resurgent performance Thursday, recording three tackles-for-loss (including a sack of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson) in the first half before being injured early in the third quarter.
“Any time you lose somebody like that that commands double-teams, it makes it harder for everybody else,” Bowles said Friday. “He’s been consistent since he’s been here. He’s been productive. He started off playing well (Thursday) night, so it’s just a shame to see.”
Barrett, whose 111 total quarterback pressures in 2019 and ‘20 led the NFL over that span, signed a four-year, $72 million deal ($34.5 million guaranteed) roughly a month after the Bucs’ triumph in Super Bowl 55. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod last season (10 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles) but managed only two sacks in the first seven games this season.
Bowles said fourth-year backup Anthony Nelson will replace Barrett at the edge-rush spot opposite Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, with veteran Carl Nassib also working in the rotation. The Bucs also could seek a replenishment via trade prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
“We’ve got some guys we feel confident in,” Bowles said, “but at the same time, you never stop looking for anything.”
Elsewhere, Bowles indicated three other injured players — cornerbacks Carlton Davis (hip) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (foot) — could return for next weekend’s home game against the Rams.
All three missed Thursday night’s contest. Hicks, who hasn’t played since suffering a plantar fascia tear in Week Two at New Orleans, said earlier this week he was “super close” to returning.
“We’ll see in practice next week,” Bowles said. “Sean and Carlton and Hicks are close, but we’ll see how close.”
Changes forthcoming?
As the clamor for a staff shakeup intensifies in the wake of the Bucs’ fifth loss in six games, Bowles indicated Friday the only looming changes involve scheme and perhaps the depth chart.
“We’ll discuss what we’re doing, who’s up and who’s down — we’ll discuss that as well,” said Bowles, whose staff will work throughout this de facto bye weekend. “But definitely schematically.”
Meantime, beleaguered offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich appears safe for now, though the offense has yet to forge an identity through eight games. After Thursday’s contest, Tampa Bay ranks 24th in the NFL in scoring (18.3 points per game), 29th in red-zone percentage (45.8) and last in rushing offense (61.9 yards per game).
In Thursday’s 27-22 loss, the offense scored 10 points on its first two possessions before punting five consecutive times and again failing to establish a ground attack. The Bucs finished with 44 yards on 15 carries (2.9 yards per attempt).
When asked Friday if he’d like to see more rushing attempts, Bowles said, “Yeah, and I’ve discussed that with them. Obviously, we’ve had that discussion and we’ll be discussing it all weekend. For me, I would like to see a little more.”
Audible
“He played tough and he played hard. Fundamentally, he can do a little bit better, but he played hard and I thought he played tough. I was proud of the fight he had.” — Bowles on the performance of left guard Nick Leverett, who made his first career NFL start in place of injured starter Luke Goedeke
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