TAMPA, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without three key members of their defense against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Infield player Devin White, outfield player Shaq Barrett and defender Steve McLendon were placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Friday.
Being on the list means that a player has tested positive or is considered a close contact with someone who has done so.
The Bucs do not reveal who is positive, but Barrett, a Pro Bowler in 2019, ended up on the list as a close contact, his wife wrote on Instagram.
“Shaquil’s is negative and has been all week [he] was close to someone who tested positive. He will therefore remain in quarantine for the next five days, ‘Jordanna Barrett posted.
“Can not control the actions of other people. Only our own. No matter how safe we were … and follow every possible precaution. Sometimes people choose other choices that lead to unfair circumstances. But rest assured if everyone asks. We were not “those who were reckless and exposed the team. So for the fans who are crazy … some things are out of our control. That’s what it is. Shaquil will be back for the playoffs.”
The NFL’s COVID-19 protocol states that a close contact that remains negative for five days in a row can return to the team. However, if a player tests positive, he must wait at least ten days after his positive test is collected – or longer if he experiences symptoms – and this must be cleared by a doctor, which will jeopardize the player’s availability for the playoffs. set.
White’s 140 tackles are third in the league and his nine pockets – including two weeks ago when the Bucs last played the Hawks – are a team highlight. Barrett has eight pockets, with him and White making up more than 36% of the Bucs team this season.
The Bucs acquired McLendon from the New York Jets in October to replace Vita Vea, who ended up on an injured reserve in Week 5. He helped maintain their feet as the defender of the league.
The trio’s placement on the reserve / COVID-19 list is not related to defense coordinator Todd Bowles’ COVID-19 scare this week, which was caused by a false positive test of close contact. The Bucs expect Bowles to return as coach on Sunday.
The Bucs have already scored a playoff spot, but there are still big implications for Sunday’s game. With a win against the Hawks, the Bucs would secure the fifth seed in the NFC, which would mean they would face the return of a weak NFC East. If they lose Sunday, and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals, the Bucs will face the Seattle Seahawks (11-4), New Orleans Saints (11-4) or Green Bay Packers (12-3).