Report: Jameis Winston played through broken thumb, torn meniscus in 2019

By Jesse Reed

·Updated: February 28, 2020

Jameis Winston had a memorable 2019 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he reportedly fought through multiple injuries to do it.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media shared Friday that Winston played through a broken thumb and a torn meniscus, which required minor surgery, and that he refused to sit games out due to his injuries.

From NFL Now: Toughness can be overlooked, so worth noting that #Bucs QB Jameis Winston not only played through a broken thumb but also a torn meniscus that he had trimmed. And he refused to sit, adding context to his season. pic.twitter.com/ucgR5rVGTQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2020

That’s incredible toughness from Winston, who is entering free agency soon unless the Bucs use the franchise tag or sign him to a longer deal ahead of the start of the new league year in March. Reportedly, a two-year deal with a team option in Year 2 is on the table.

Winston recently underwent laser surgery to improve his vision, which is an intriguing side story here. The reason it’s so interesting is that he set an NFL record nobody ever wanted last year when he tossed 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions — becoming the first 30-30 quarterback in league history. He’s also been the NFL’s turnover king since he landed in Tampa Bay with the first-overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

But Winston’s arm talent is also just as tantalizing as ever. When he’s on, the dude can shred.

While it’s not an excuse that he was injured, it does explain quite a bit. Perhaps with good health restored, and some better vision, Winston will finally live up to the hype that drove him to the top of the 2015 NFL Draft.