It’s never easy for a quarterback to excel during his rookie season, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers gunslinger Jameis Winston officially gets a pass for whatever happens next.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Vincent Jackson—Tampa’s No. 2 receiver—will be sidelined for a few weeks due to a knee injury.
My understanding on #Bucs WR Vincent Jackson is his knee injury is expected to keep him out multiple weeks, but not season ending.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2015
In a word, Winston’s first NFL campaign has been “respectable.” While the Florida State product isn’t lighting up the circuit, he’s thrown for at least 200 yards and a touchdown in all seven outings
Additionally, his seven total interceptions also don’t look as bad when considering four came against the Carolina Panthers. Winston hasn’t been perfect, but he’s done a decent job.
People who own standout receiver Mike Evans in fantasy leagues are happy, sure. However, let’s remember the real-life implications. Tampa Bay is already without No. 3 target Louis Murphy, and starting tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins is working to return but has missed the last four games.
As it stands, behind Evans, Winston’s top pass-catchers are Luke Stocker, Donteea Dye and that’s it. Running backs Doug Martin, Charles Sims and even Bobby Rainey are the next in line.
The Bucs will expect their rookie to make the most of a tough situation, but Winston deserves a pass for the final 10 games of NFL campaign No. 1.