Report: NFL Will Investigate Devin White Injury Report Drama
December 21st, 2023
NFL is now involved.
Joe’s head is almost dizzy from the variations of ReportGate, what Bucs coach Todd Bowles knew and when did he know it concerning linebacker Devin White not playing Sunday in Green Bay.
So much has been written about it and yakked about it on TV hollering shows, that it now has the attention of NFL strongman Roger Goodell’s goons in New York, reports the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio.
The Buccaneers might have violated the injury-reporting rules by failing to downgrade linebacker Devin White from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Regardless, the NFL will be looking into the situation.
“We will review the matter with the club,” chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told PFT via email on Wednesday.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles raised eyebrows on Monday by telling reporters that White made it clear on Friday or Saturday that he couldn’t play, due to a foot injury. The failure to downgrade White to out becomes a potential violation of the injury-reporting rules.
The crux of the matter is whether the Bucs, specifically Bowles, failed to disclose relevant updates as to the status of White’s injured foot.
This thread will catch you up on the background and the alleged timeline in ReportGate.
When White spoke yesterday he cleared some things up but the timeline still seems to change every time someone who knew what and when talks about it.
Joe wishes the Bucs media relations staff would send out a very clear, very detailed, very specific timeline of when Bowles and White spoke, what White said to Bowles and when he made the determination to deactivate White for last Sunday’s game.
Are the Bucs are covering for something or someone? which is the whiff of smoke Joe smells.
While this may be wildly misinterpreted, Joe cannot help but think of the last time a star Bucs player was a healthy scratch in a crucial December road game as the Bucs clawed their way through a playoff chase.
That didn’t turn out so well for all involved.
Devin White’s reaction to the narrative about him outside the building. #nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/F1or0gehc5
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) December 20, 2023
December 21st, 2023 at 12:48 am
Ho w does the rule actually w work? Is the player’s word medically definitive?
I mean if I have a player I know is healthy and the doctors indicate he is as well but he says he can’t play – isn’t that someting questrionable I might talk him out of?
December 21st, 2023 at 1:46 am
TWO TIMES
Bowles got caught by Godwin’s wife for misrepresentation of injury. Now Devin? Bowles has a problem with dishonesty.
December 21st, 2023 at 2:14 am
TB: “Yo DW, you practiced today. Full speed? Think you’re a go for the game?”
DW:”Geez, I dunno coach. The foot hurts like heck after i make my runs.”
TB: “Okay, my man. We’ll see where you stand on Sunday morning. Rest up.”
How does this not fit the narrative? What do you want Bowles to say? Geezum! Can we talk about Otton’s cleats or something else that’s more interesting. We know who DW is for crying out loud.
December 21st, 2023 at 2:37 am
What is with Bowles messing with Godwin and now White? What’s the point?
December 21st, 2023 at 3:45 am
Flat out we deserve every bit of this investigation. I’ve been saying it for a minute, ever since bowles took over we have been playing some shell game as it relates to reporting injuries. Even BA played a part in hiding Brady’s MCL. But the stuff with Jensen was utterly RIDICULOUS. bowles et al acted like they didn’t even know what the guy’s injury was for a WHOLE SEASON!! Swelling, who knows 🤷♂️. Gimme a break. I know we’re not the only team that does it, but it has gotten waaaay out of control around OBP. And ngl, it’s kinda hilarious that idiot bowles is potentially gonna get us fined to cover for a malcontent bench warmer that’s on his way out of town. That’s the kind of galaxy brain this guy is.
#stillFIREbowles #stillNOconfidence
December 21st, 2023 at 3:52 am
Bowles can’t get out of his own way. Another reason why he needs to go. He may have won 3 straight but let’s not forget the 6 out of 7 streak he lost and some of his dumb game decisions.
December 21st, 2023 at 3:54 am
Rod Munch: Bowles was “messing” with White? He was COVERING for him, since White quit on the team. Let’s call it what it is. All of a sudden, after 3 days, White is “ready to go”? You don’t find that to be suspicious?
December 21st, 2023 at 6:05 am
We’re on a 3 game winning streak, will likely make the playoffs and might win a game or two. How about the “fans” gather around the team and support them. As much as I bash Bowles, he’s doing something right. I blame this investigation on fickle Bucs fans and JBF as much as anything.
December 21st, 2023 at 6:05 am
A lot has been made of this situation. And Joe has done a good job dispelling some things that not necessarily true.
It’s not unreasonable to to say that speed is one of Devin White’s greatest attributes and an injury to the foot would limit him not withstanding the pain
that he says is involved.
The decision didn’t seem to hurt the team in any way. That said I wish that Devin had worked on some other things to become a more rounded MLB. IMO, he should be as good in dropping back in pass coverage and run stopping as he is at
blitzing.
December 21st, 2023 at 6:15 am
“If you can’t be truthful, at least be vague.” ― Todd Bowles
December 21st, 2023 at 6:29 am
Bring Gruden back.
December 21st, 2023 at 6:42 am
Another her example of the NFL Gestapo at work! What BS…
December 21st, 2023 at 6:47 am
This is exactly the kind of distraction we did not need right now
December 21st, 2023 at 7:03 am
Bowles got caught making excuses for 45 and now the club gets to pay the price. It’s almost poetic.
December 21st, 2023 at 7:08 am
Seee dumb arse dude. He has no business being an NFL coach he is garbage.
I haven’t had a drink in 5 years but I’ll celebrate and knock back as many big storm beers as I can handle when he gets fired. Never should have been our coach.
December 21st, 2023 at 7:30 am
Nope, still don’t care. Just win. Leave the Real Housewives crap to New Orleans.
December 21st, 2023 at 7:33 am
Godwin then White.
I think it’s pretty obvious what Todd’s problem is…..
He’s rayycyst
December 21st, 2023 at 7:38 am
Molly Shamster
December 21st, 2023 at 7:52 am
But White on IR and move on. He is selfish, not a good teammate, and a loafer. And now he is a distraction. Rip that C off his chest and tell him to stay home.
December 21st, 2023 at 7:58 am
All this drama caused by our Captain. Way to lead, White.
What a clown……
December 21st, 2023 at 8:13 am
So much pandering for a guy that annually ranks near the bottom of all ILBs on PFF. Tampa fans have a bad habit of mistaking mediocrity and anomalous performances as stardom.
Britt is very average, but he’s 100-fold better at tackling, block shedding, communication, play recognition, pass defense, and run defense. The only category where DWhite has an edge is speed. Totally useless trait when you have low football IQ in all other areas.
December 21st, 2023 at 8:31 am
I’m all for black coaches but Todd Bowles is horrible wants to be Tony Dungy so bad
December 21st, 2023 at 8:34 am
Don’t care about this story. D.White is a headache, me me me player niw. He is talking too much to the media. Instead of focusing on playing better. White will go on to be a great player for some other team next season. Could be the Cowboys, Niners, or I could see him going to the Saints with his LSU background, could also see him going to Steelers. Either way he will not be a headache for the Bucs much longer.
December 21st, 2023 at 8:46 am
Todd Bowles lied to everyone just to cover for Divas ego, and now the team suffers. He is coaching for his job and for a playoff spot, and he is willing to risk it all for an alleged captain of this team. He just is not a good steward of this franchise, and its clear he has priorities that exceed team needs.
December 21st, 2023 at 9:14 am
Remember not long ago. Someone’s wife got upset about a similar situation. Bowles said a player wasn’t getting a lot of reps therefore not a lot of passes because he was hurt. But he was getting a lot of reps and he wasn’t hurt. And after the incident a certain player has blown up on production because he’s actually being thrown the ball. Hmmmmm
December 21st, 2023 at 9:29 am
“Last year”
That makes 0 sense.
Bowles is not a good HC, that is for sure.
December 21st, 2023 at 9:29 am
Bowels has been caught in his lies and now it may cost the team. He is a poor liar. Someone that a good attorney would love to geton the stand.
December 21st, 2023 at 9:41 am
Coach said White was medically cleared to play (officially “questionable” all week) but the player said his foot hurt so he didn’t play.
How is that a rules violation?
Man – I swear, Florio is such a damn little tattle tale. He just LOVES it when there’s even a hint of NFL rule breaking so he can talk about it and point to the team and make sure King Goodell is aware that “maybe something needs looking into”.
December 21st, 2023 at 10:01 am
What a load of BS. First Mariah Godwin? Really? What was all that stink about? NFL wives don’t gossip and complain? And now Devin White. Whoopee. He’ll either play or he won’t. His call. He sure has stunk lately. Can we really talk about something more important? Like the injury reports coming out tomorrow, for instance.
December 21st, 2023 at 10:54 am
Please guys. All this does is take away from TEAM. We are winning. How come nobody is satisfied with that. We complained when we lost, now our local media revs up this Bowles /white thing. My gosh people, are we ever satisfied? Lets keep winning. We need no distractions. Seems like to me, Somebody is out to get Todd Bowles…..
December 21st, 2023 at 12:06 pm
The following is pure speculation:
Pro sports teams operate on a fine line. There is an employer employee relationship. There is a contractual relationship. There is a team camaraderie relationship. There is a player coach relationship. The head coach is the kingpin.
Player contracts are negotiated based on the perceived value of the player. The players value is largely determined by his (or her) statistics. Statistics can be easily manipulated by playing time and player usage.
Pro sports is BIG business and asset value is important. Assets are often traded.
Players have agents representing them and negotiate contracts using the players statics.
The human element is involved in every aspect.
I think (speculation) #45 crapped in his bed after listening to the hype his unscrupulous agent fed him. Things got out of control and injuries came into play.
The kingpin wanted to protect the personal relationship with the player/employee whom he designated a team captain. The kingpin was now in a difficult and delicate dance with the team as a whole. He had to keep everyone happy and maintain loyalties while protecting team morale.
Then we get to the business side with the GM and ownership. You don’t need my speculation on that.
Oh my, I completely forgot about RULES.
Way to go NFL. The game has been soiled by BIG BUSINESS.