Who Steps Up With YaYa Diaby Out?
August 2nd, 2024
Todd Bowles
The Bucs may have dodged a major bullet yesterday when it was learned the ankle injury suffered by outside linebacker YaYa Diaby is just a high-ankle sprain.
The way players reacted to the injury, Joe feared something much worse. When Joe saw Tristan Wirfs on one knee right beside Diaby, well, that was a very bad look.
Wirfs was among several Bucs huddled around Diaby as trainers rendered aid. That shows how much respect Diaby has earned.
As Jenna Laine of ESPN reported last night, the Bucs have a target date of Week 1 of the regular season for Diaby’s return, home against the Commandos.
So yesterday after practice, Todd Bowles was asked about who would fill the gap left by Diaby. Smartly, Bowles sort of punted.
“I’ll probably wait to answer that question but all of them have to step up,” Bowles said. “We still have Joe [Tryon-Shoyinka], we have ‘Nellie’ (Anthony Nelson), we have [Markees] Watts, Jose [Ramirez] has to step up.
“We have a lot of guys over there that are in contention and battling for spots but hopefully it’s not that bad. we’ll see how it goes.”
Why did Joe suggest it was smart of Bowles to dodge the question? Bowles probably wants to make it an open competition. Let’s see who raises his game with a chance to win a (temporary) starting job.
Wise move, coach. Make someone earn the snaps.
If Joe had to guess, it would be Anthony Nelson. He’s quietly having a good camp. He’s the guy who seems to be in the Bucs’ backfield the most outside of Diaby. Consistently. Practice after practice. Not a lot, but you know he’s on the roster.
Notice Bowles didn’t mention rookie Chris Braswell? Joe doesn’t think the guy is ready. Joe’s seen him maybe make two plays in the first seven practices. “Plays,” meaning getting after the quarterback.
But Braswell gets a pass. He’s a rookie.
Of late, second-year edge rusher José Ramirez has been showing up. That’s encouraging. Joe actually saw Ramirez yesterday make Tristan Wirfs work to keep him away from Baker Mayfield. If a guy can make Wirfs sweat, that’s pretty dang good.
Of course, that was just one play.
August 2nd, 2024 at 3:14 am
Forget it folks, JTS will not step up. Three years in the league with multiple opportunities to step up n he’s the same confused, passive, timid, soft, player he’s always been. Let’s see if Braswell, MWatts, or JRamirez step up.
August 2nd, 2024 at 4:20 am
Thanks for your monumental work feeding us the practice updates Joe.
Without your efforts I would not have a clue who was standing out at TC. As I now live quite literally on the other side of the planet and the Glazer’s only let select “Krewe” in to practice anyway, I truly appreciate what you do.
Because of you I can at least know the following. That Ramirez has shown up as has Nelson. Watts? JTS? They appear to be serious about pounding the rock behind our revamped interior line as well. Barton is at least working with the ones. Seen Tucker’s name mentioned more than I would have thought.
Do the TEs appear to be blocking any better in the run game?
Brit is indeed a hitter unlike his predecessor.
Thanks again Joe!
Go Bucs!
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:11 am
MOVE KO KIEFT OVER TO REPLACE YAYA! He’d probably do better than Tryon.😀
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:22 am
“Open competition”???? We’ve heard THAT one before!
August 2nd, 2024 at 8:08 am
This is a 12 week recovery situation. With zero pass rush, this defense will be awful. Expect Washington to roll on opening day.
August 2nd, 2024 at 8:55 am
JTS is the worst NFL player in the league. I have watched him very closely for 2 years and he is worthless. I hits nobody, he tackles nobody and literally jumps on piles before whistle blows. He’s the most embarrassing player I have ever seen in the NFL it’s disgusting. Please cut him
August 2nd, 2024 at 9:13 am
Jeff’s Grandpa, please help.
August 2nd, 2024 at 9:29 am
Ramirez is gonna surprise people .
August 2nd, 2024 at 9:31 am
The Bucs Doctors & trainers say it’s 4 to 6 a week recovery and set a target day of week 1 or Sept 8th.
BUT Jeff says 3 months and the Bucs are doomed. Who should I believe?
August 2nd, 2024 at 9:40 am
“Ramirez is gonna surprise people”
I think you’re onto something
August 2nd, 2024 at 10:17 am
Jose is a major sleeper candidate this season, even before the Diaby injury.
August 2nd, 2024 at 10:54 am
Haha Jeff. I think we might be able to rest a couple more starters week 1. Hopefully it’s a speedy recovery for Diaby… I know we are banking on Kancey and Vea providing a lot of the DL pressure and I think it’s a must. Other reports I have seen haven’t been too kind to our other OLBs. As Joe mentioned, Braswell isn’t ready, Watts and Ramirez may have some juice as situational rushers but I am readin that their run game play isn’t up to snuff. JTS and Nelson can be average, not really hurt us but not really splash for us either.
Good news is that if we can generate 50 sacks as a unit again, the secondary, WR room, IOL and run game look to be improved and that should keep the Bucs dangerous.
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:27 pm
haha tony i’d love to see Ko rush the passer he’s a bulldozer. put him on a stunt up the gut
August 2nd, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Go Ko go!! We gotta find out what Braswell and somebody please turn on the lights JTS… Throughout camp and preseason, Ya Ya get better please 🥺❤️ let’s Do It….
August 2nd, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Now remember, high ankle sprains are tricky, very tricky. The tissue above the ankle is affected. That tissue sometimes separates from the bone and it could potentially bother him all year. This same injury affected Tristan Wirfs a few years ago and he had some troubles. Then again, Wirfs weighs about 900 pounds. Speedy recovery YaYa, speedy recovery.
August 2nd, 2024 at 5:30 pm
@Noclu4u
Yeah I liked Ramirez & Watts coming out. I wanted both of them. They should give them a chance. Forget Tryon.
August 2nd, 2024 at 6:45 pm
I’d count on Nelson first, then probably Watts or Ramirez.
I think we know what JTS is by now.
But it’s not just who fills in for Yaya, it’s also the other question I’ve been asking all offseason long: Who the hell starts on the other side?
We need TWO starting OLBs, plus rotational guys…