Aaron Stinnie injury deals Tampa Bay another pre-season blow
Aaron Stinnie hobbled off against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers short of offensive options.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been dealt another blow to their offensive line after Aaron Stinnie suffered a knee injury in pre-season on Saturday. Ryan Jensen had already sustained a serious knee issue as Tampa Bay began their preseason camp, and Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs soon joined him in the treatment room with an oblique injury. The Bucs have already lost Ali Marpet to retirement, with Alex Cappa also becoming a free agent, and Stinnie gave his franchise more reason for concern after limping off against the Tennessee Titans.
Stinnie has been making a case for the starting left guard spot in quarterback Tom Brady’s offensive line, but sustained an issue to his left knee after colliding with Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Adrian Colbert. With Shaq Mason making the starting right guard spot his own, Luke Goedeke, Nick Leverett and Stinnie are fighting for the position on the opposite side.
Stinnie was said to have a strong chance at securing the role, having started three postseason games for the Bucs in 2020, but coach Todd Bowles now has another injury problem to contend with. “We won’t know until we get X-rays. But Goedeke – I’ve got to see the tape and looked like we couldn’t move the ball at all, regardless of who was in there,” Bowles said after Saturday’s 13-3 defeat to the Titans. “We’ll look at the tape. My concern isn’t as great right now. I’ll see the tape and I’ll go from there.”
Colts up next
The Bucs have one pre-season game to go against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday before their NFL campaign starts on the road at the Dallas Cowboys on Monday 12 September.