Doug Martin, Logan Mankins, Johnthan Banks Injury Updates
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have suffered a trio of injuries to significant players in today’s rivalry opener against the Carolina Panthers, which holds serious playoff implications down the road. Although the Bucs were a disaster under Greg Schiano last year, the strong offseason put together by Jason Licht and Lovie Smith have created a playoff contender on Dale Mabry, and defeating last year’s division champions would be a huge statement. Although the Panthers are resting Cam Newton due to a rib injury, backup Derek Anderson is looking like the Anderson of that terrific, fluky 2007 season with the Cleveland Browns, but since he’s 20-26 right now, it might not be that much of a fluke after all for the savvy veteran, who has been strong in the past two preseasons.
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But back to the Buccaneers. Per official site beat writer Scott Smith, star left guard Logan Mankins has now been ruled out for the remainder of the contest due to a knee injury, and this is terrible news. Mankins is one of the toughest players in the NFL (he played through an ACL tear in the playoffs), but he has a history of injuries, and a knee injury to him is something worth monitoring closely. His absence is huge for the Bucs, especially since they were desperate to acquire a guard and seemed to get a steal when they sent Tim Wright and a pick to the New England Patriots for a massive upgrade. Against Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short, and the Panthers interior, this loss is especially tough to swallow in-game.
FOX Sports’s Ross Jones reports that trainers are taking a look at feature back Doug Martin’s left knee, and this is also a bad sign considering how important Martin is as an every-down back. He’s an excellent pass-catcher (critical with Charles Sims on the short-term IR) and the center of the offense due to its ground-and-pound nature under a game manager-style QB in Josh McCown. Hopefully Martin’s injury isn’t serious, because he suffered a severe injury last season. He’s currently questionable to return, so at least Mike James and Bobby Rainey can fill in against a dominant front seven.
The Tampa Tribune’s Ira Kaufman reports that second-year cornerback Johnthan Banks walked to the locker room with an injury, and this could also be a tough blow. He’s a solid CB2 opposite of star free agent acquisition Alterraun Verner, and he has the skills to eventually become a true No. 1 corner in this league. If he’s out for a significant period of time, then that is a huge blow to the Bucs depth at a crucial position.