Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jeff Demps has a groin injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jeff Demps (32) gets tripped up by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (31) as he attempted to run back a kick off return during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Arizona Cardinals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year RB and kick returner Jeff Demps is one of the more frustrating players in the league, and Bucs head coach Greg Schiano showed some frustration during training camp at one point with Demps. The reason why the New England Patriots traded Demps and a seventh-round pick for LeGarrette Blount is because they were sick of trying to decide whether or not Demps’s heart was really into football. Demps wants to continue to pursue his career in track and play football at the same time, but that is an awfully difficult thing to do.

The Buccaneers were given a roster exemption for Demps until late September, and they activated him. He has played in the Bucs last two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals with 93 kick return yards, 14 rushing yards on one carry, and three receptions for 21 yards. Demps’s talent is undeniable, as he is clearly one of the fastest players in the league.

However, Demps is also struggling with a groin injury, as Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Demps was not present at practice due to the ailment. As Stroud notes, this explains why the Buccaneers recently activated wide receiver Skye Dawson from the practice squad, as he will almost certainly replace Demps as the team’s KR this week against the Atlanta Falcons.

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