Important Bucs Starter To Miss Several Weeks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers team captain and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will miss two to four weeks after suffering a slight rib fracture. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the injury on Tuesday ahead of the team's Thursday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Winfield sustained the injury late in Sunday's 17-14 defeat against the Green Bay Packers.

With Winfield sidelined, Todd Bowles announced that Ifeatu Melifonwu will step into the starting safety role alongside Tykee Smith. Winfield becomes the second Buccaneers captain to miss extended playing time after quarterback Baker Mayfield recently dislocated his thumb, adding further pressure to a Tampa Bay roster that has started the season 0-4.