Dirk Koetter: Lavonte David Will Play Sunday
October 14th, 2017
Dirk Koetter weighs in with more good/bad injury news.
Updated 10:37 a.m. – There is a fresh update on several Buccaneers injuries, courtesy of the man who decides Tampa Bay participants tomorrow in Arizona.
Winning head coach Dirk Koetter, speaking from the desert, told SiriusXM NFL Radio that Lavonte David will play. David has been on the shelf since injuring his ankle in Minnesota. It was an ugly injury that had David in extreme pain outside the postgame locker room, but after encouraging tests and two games off David will is back. Officially, he is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Safety T.J. Ward also will play, per Koetter. Ward has battled hip issues and missed the past two games. That’s huge for the Bucs to get the Pro Bowler back.
Safety Keith Tandy, also listed as questionable with a hip injury, will miss Sunday’s game, along with Kwon Alexander (hamstring), Ryan Russell (shoulder) and Josh Robinson (concussion). Ali Marpet and Robert Ayers are sure things to play, Koetter said, despite being listed as questionable.
Great news to start a Saturday morning, though Joe kicked off his Saturday listening to Bucs Uncensored.
UPDATED: Specifically on Kwon Alexander, Koetter said the linebacker is “not quite ready, gettin’ real close, though.”
October 14th, 2017 at 10:00 am
What about Kwon ?
October 14th, 2017 at 10:00 am
THE BEST NEWS, also Steve Izbits is the GOAT
October 14th, 2017 at 10:20 am
I really hope they aren’t rushing LVD back from injury too soon
I’d rather him sit than to re-gravitate that hammy
October 14th, 2017 at 10:21 am
That IS good news. The way #54 responded when the injury happened and with the initial reports of a high ankle sprain – I assumed he would be out for 4 or 5 games.
Thought the opposite of Kwon – especially with him saying he’d be back the next week just after the Chicago game – and now here we are 4 games later and still no Captain Kwon available. Was it a pulled hamstring or a TORN hamstring? Geez.
October 14th, 2017 at 10:23 am
ops guess that was kwon with the hammy…..ankle injuries maybe even worse rushing back due to all of of his weight putting on it
I once had to wait six weeks of waiting until I could run again from an ankle injury (minus rehab)
October 14th, 2017 at 10:34 am
Amazing news – but how T.J Ward is not as big news as having Lavonte back needs to addressed. Secondary needs WAYYYYYYY more help than our LB core.
October 14th, 2017 at 10:42 am
They were healthy last year in Arizona. They need to ensure their heads and hearts are in the game.
The Bucs started 2-3 last year, with three really lousy losses, especially the one against the Cardinals–only one good game played of the five. So far this year, they’ve really only turned in one complete game.
Come back 3-2 and we can talk about improvement in total results over Dirk Year #1 to #2. Come back 2-3 and we have to shake our head, wonder if we’re really any bettter, and fear the Bills even more.
Work the edge rush (GMC and D Line); protect the ball (Jameis); finish drives with TDs, not FGs (attempts); make the kicks.
October 14th, 2017 at 10:54 am
I’m excited to see Justin Evans and TJ next to each other in the lineup.
October 14th, 2017 at 11:27 am
Sadly oj I think it’ll be conte and ward
October 14th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Play hard Bucs. The AZ Cards are desperate and are going to throw everything they got at us..especially at home with that..standing room only crowd they take in weekly. Weather the storm and rush their QB. Its not so much sacks But hurries and making Carson Scramble. He’s not good at that. If we go in no nonsense and playing hard with passion..we win. But if Carson Palmer is given time, he will deliver to Fitz and the boyz. Should be a great game. We really need this one.
October 14th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Am I the only one upset that Ryan Russell is out, considering that Spence and Ayers are going to both be playing hurt? I know he’s not great, but we need the DE depth.
October 14th, 2017 at 11:48 am
We’ve got the worst luck at finding the next great DE. Poor drafting and not being able to attract good, young FAs over the last decade has killed our pass rush. Then, when you find what ALL teams are looking for, the undrafted diamond in the rough, Michael Bennett, you let him walk because you want to keep the second rounder Bowers because he was a draft pick and you have to “guru it” to save face. Bennett may not be a “10 sack” guy, but he’ll get 8 or 9, apply consistent pressure, and play the run almost as well as Gholston. If Jason Licht was GM for that decision, Bennett would have been kept and Bowers cut. Licht has no problem cutting draft picks if they aren’t the better than an undrafted player.
October 14th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Keep the Kwonster on the bench. Hamstring injuries are buggers, and they have to have time to heal. Glad to see LVD back. Smith needs to dial up some blitzes starring LVD and GMC. Bucs. win. tomorrow. in. AZ. 🙂
October 14th, 2017 at 5:55 pm
High ankle sprains and hamstrings. So easy to hurt them again.