Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Shares Haason Reddick Injury Update Before Bye
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Haason Reddick did not play Sunday against the Saints.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ dominant defense is likely to get even stronger after their Week 9 bye.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles offered an update on EDGE rusher Haason Reddick, saying he is only dealing with an ankle sprain and knee soreness after their 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
Reddick missed the Bucs win in the Big Easy with the multiple lower-leg injuries but has 1.5 sacks, 16 tackles and three tackles for loss in seven games this season.
Tampa Bay (6-2) leads the NFC South by two games over the second-place Carolina Panthers. The Bucs will meet the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 9.
The Buccaneers Dodged A Bullet With Haason Reddick’s Injury
Reddick was carted off the field during the Bucs’ 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions last Monday night, which could have been a catastrophic injury given Reddick’s potential impact rushing the passer.
Reddick is 14th in the NFL in pressures and has taken the 15th-most snaps among EDGE rushers entering Week 8, according to Pro Football Focus. Those are despite the 58.9 grade, which only ranks 80th among players at that position.
Yet, when asked about Reddick’s status post-bye, Bowles admitted the Bucs dodged a bullet.
“It is just a sprain. Right now, we are taking it day-by-day, week-by-week,” Bowles said. “The knee is sore, but it will be okay.”
The fact Reddick dodged a season-ending injury seems beneficial, since Tampa Bay ranks third in the NFL in sacks (25) behind only the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. He is one of the best pass rushers on the team.
The Buccaneers Should Wait Until Haason Reddick Is Fully Healthy Before Bringing Him Back
Reddick has long been a closer. He is the Von Miller-like EDGE rusher that comes in and seals games with a sack.
He has 60.5 career sacks — 22nd among all active players — and rushing the passer is what he did best as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, particularly in 2022 when he posted 16 sacks and finished fourth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting while helping them reach the Super Bowl.
Yet, the Bucs defense managed just fine without him against the Saints on Sunday, who granted are one of the worst offensive teams in the NFL. Filling in for Reddick, Anthony Nelson had a career game, logging two sacks, four tackles, a forced fumble and a three-yard interception return for a touchdown against New Orleans.
Nelson is now second on the Buccaneers in sacks (3) this year, and they have 12 players with at least one sack this year — a consequence of their extremely deep defense and Bowles’ exceptional ability to dial up pressure via an array of blitzes and stunts.
Five different Buccaneers players had at least a half-sack against the Saints, led by Nelson. They may have a harder time against the Patriots, who have allowed just 28 sacks in eight games this year.
But the Bucs have their sights set higher than just a regular-season game in November, since they are a virtual lock to win the NFC South. Having a player like Reddick healthy — since he has 3.5 sacks in four career playoff games — could be the difference between a playoff season and a championship-caliber year.
Dillon Gabriel Faces Growing Frustration Over Ineffective Long Drives, Fans Question His Ability to Bring Stability to Browns' Offense
The Cleveland Browns' offensive woes have continued to plague the team, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel is now at the center of growing frustration from both fans and analysts alike. Despite his early promise, Gabriel has struggled to lead the team effectively, particularly when it comes to executing long, sustained drives. His inability to maintain consistency and generate meaningful plays has left many questioning whether he can provide the stability the Browns so desperately need on offense.
Throughout the season, the Browns have faced difficulty in putting together consistent offensive performances, and the lack of effectiveness on long drives has been a significant part of the issue. Gabriel, who had been seen as a potential answer to the team's offensive struggles, has failed to establish a rhythm, particularly on third downs and in the red zone, where long drives are crucial. Fans have voiced their disappointment on social media and in stadiums, citing missed opportunities and a lack of command during critical moments.
“It’s just not clicking,” said one disappointed fan after a recent game. “Dillon shows flashes of being capable, but when it matters most, he can’t get the offense moving. We’ve seen it too many times this season—long drives that stall, and no consistency. It’s frustrating.”
Gabriel, who was brought in to stabilize the quarterback position and bring some consistency to the offense, has been unable to consistently produce those moments of stability. His performance, while not devoid of potential, has been marred by errors, missed throws, and an inability to string together multiple successful plays when it counts.
“I'm trying to do my best out there, but it’s clear we need more consistency,” Gabriel said after the latest loss. “I take full responsibility for the struggles on offense. I know I need to be better, and I’m working hard to fix the issues. But I understand the frustration of the fans—this team deserves better.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has stood by Gabriel through the ups and downs, addressed the growing frustration during his post-game press conference, emphasizing the need for improvement across the board. “We’re all looking for better execution, and that starts with me as the head coach. Dillon knows what he needs to work on, and we’re all committed to making those improvements as a team,” Stefanski said.
Despite the setbacks, Gabriel remains hopeful that the offense can turn things around, citing the team’s overall talent and potential. However, as the season progresses, the pressure is mounting on Gabriel to prove that he can bring the stability and leadership that the Browns need to get back on track. The fans’ growing frustration with the offense suggests that time is running out for Gabriel to find consistency and live up to expectations as the Browns’ starting quarterback.
With the Browns facing a critical stretch of games, all eyes will be on Gabriel and whether he can finally get the offense to function at a high level. If he cannot lead the team to more effective and sustained drives, his role as the quarterback could be in jeopardy, and the Browns’ playoff aspirations may continue to slip further out of reach.
