The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Franchise quarterback Jameis Winston has been erratic all season and is currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
All of this led Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter to sit Winston in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick at halftime of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
BREAKING: #Bucs HC Dirk Koetter tells @BucSidelineGuy that Ryan Fitzpatrick will replace Jameis Winston for 2nd half.
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) November 5, 2017
Winston completed just 7-of-13 passes for 67 yards in the first half. He took a seat on the bench with Tampa Bay down 16-3.
For their part, the Buccaneers are officially listing Winston as questionable to return with a shoulder injury. This is a narrative that will include the team indicating that he was sidelined due to injury rather than poor performance.
Ryan Fitzpatrick in at QB for the Bucs. Jameis Winston (shoulder) is questionable to return. T Donovan Smith also questionable.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 5, 2017
There could very well be some truth to that. Winston suffered multiple hits to the shoulder in question. And he had been limited or inactive from practice after suffering the AC joint sprain a couple weeks back.
This is most definitely something to keep an eye on as the game comes to a conclusion and Tampa Bay meets with the press Sunday evening.