The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' disastrous start to the 2026 season got worse with another injury blow. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Monday that Antoine Winfield Jr. will miss two to four weeks after fracturing his rib in a Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The All-Pro cornerback will sit out for the first time since the end of the 2024 season.
Winfield still played 55 of the defense's 60 snaps despite getting hurt on Sunday. ESPN's Jenna Laine noted that the 28-year-old "could barely walk and was moving extremely slowly" after the game, adding Monday that Winfield looked to be in "considerable pain" and was having difficulty breathing. Tampa Bay's defense has remained strong following longtime linebacker Lavonte David's retirement.
They limited the Packers to 283 yards with rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison out of action. Losing Winfield is still a major blow to the NFC's only winless team. Tampa Bay's No. 9-ranked passing defense could take a hit without the shutdown corner, who has been targeted just five times this season.
Points are also at a premium with a thumb injury sidelining Baker Mayfield. The quarterback is expected to miss at least two more weeks, so the Buccaneers must find a way to win without Mayfield and Winfield. The Buccaneers have a short week to prepare for a critical "Thursday Night Football" game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Winfield is unlikely to return to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, but Tampa Bay would love to get him back for NFC South contests against the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.
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