Buccaneers Starting Safety Sporting Cast, Status Unknown for Sunday Against 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without one of their starters in the secondary when they take on the 49ers on Sunday. Safety Ryan Neal was seen sporting a cast on his left hand during Wednesday's practice session open to the media. He was subsequently listed with a did not participate designation on the team's first injury report of the week.

After grading out as pffs top safety last season he has a dismal 43.2 defensive grade this season. He’s given up multiple big plays this season often out of position and has seen his snaps cut and given to veteran defensive back Dee Delaney over the last two contests.

He’s allowed 20 receptions on 21 targets for a whopping 344 yards and four touchdowns. He’s allowing receivers 17.2 yards per catch with a season-long of 75 yards. He also has six missed tackles with zero interceptions, pass breakups, or forced fumbles.

With his status in doubt, the Buccaneers signed safety Jaquan Johnson to the practice squad. The veteran safety was drafted by the Bills in 2019 and spent four seasons with them. Totaling 58 tackles, 2 interceptions and even completing a pass for 13 yards.

He signed with the Raiders in March but was part of roster cutdowns in August and has been out of football since. To make room for Johnson the Bucs released defensive tackle C.J. Brewer.

Brewer joined the Bucs in the offseason after a successful stint in the XFL. He signed with the team’s practice squad after being released during final cutdowns.