Bucs bolster OL depth after injuries: 'Feeney has experience, Haggard offers potential.'
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face significant offensive line challenges as they navigate injuries to key players, including starting right tackle Luke Goedeke and right guard Cody Mauch.
Why it matters: The Buccaneers offensive line is crucial for both the protection of quarterback Baker Mayfield and the effectiveness of their running game. With multiple injuries, the team will need to adapt quickly to maintain its performance.
- Goedeke has been placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury sustained after just 12 snaps in the recent game against the Houston Texans.
- Mauch will undergo surgery for a knee injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
What’s new: In response to these setbacks, the Buccaneers have signed Dan Feeney from the Buffalo Bills practice squad and promoted Luke Haggard from their own practice squad to strengthen their offensive line depth.
- Feeney brings a wealth of experience, having played in 120 career games with 65 starts across several teams, primarily as an interior lineman.
- Haggard, who has previous starting experience at left tackle, will provide additional versatility.
Zooming in: The injuries to Goedeke and Mauch are compounded by the ongoing recovery of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is also rehabilitating from offseason knee surgery.
- The absence of these linemen puts added pressure on the remaining starters and new additions to gel quickly in a high-stakes environment.
Yes, but: While the Buccaneers have made moves to address their offensive line issues, the effectiveness of these replacements remains to be seen.
- Feeney's extensive experience should help stabilize the line, but integrating new personnel mid-season poses challenges in communication and chemistry.
- Haggard's promotion is promising; however, his lack of NFL experience could lead to struggles against formidable defensive fronts.
What to watch: As the season progresses, keep an eye on how the Buccaneers adapt their offensive schemes to accommodate the changing dynamics of their offensive line.
- They may lean more heavily on quick passing plays or run schemes that utilize motion to mitigate pressure on the quarterback.
The bottom line: With a reshaped offensive line, the Buccaneers must quickly find a way to protect Baker Mayfield and sustain their offensive rhythm if they hope to remain competitive in the NFC South. The next few games will be critical in determining whether this makeshift line can execute effectively under pressure.
