The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are losing much more than games these days. The Washington Redskins, meanwhile, aren’t crying over the departure of Albert Haynesworth.
The Buccaneers will try to overcome two more key injuries and keep their fading playoff hopes alive on Sunday against Washington, which suspended its enigmatic $100 million defensive tackle for the rest of the season earlier this week.
Tampa Bay (7-5) had a shot to pull within one game of the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons last week, but couldn’t seal the deal in a 28-24 loss.
The Buccaneers held a 10-point lead with 10 minutes to play, but Eric Weems returned a kickoff 102 yards and Matt Ryan threw a go-ahead touchdown pass with 4:30 left.
Brent Grimes’ interception of Josh Freeman sealed the victory. It was a heartbreaking loss to Tampa Bay, which is on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture. Three teams in the conference are 8-4 and two more boast records of 9-3.
Perhaps more devastating for Tampa Bay than the loss to Atlanta was the loss of two more key starters in that contest.
Center Jeff Faine suffered a triceps injury and star cornerback Aqib Talib, who is tied for the league lead with six interceptions, sustained a hip injury. Both were placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
The duo joined starting guard Davin Joseph and safety Cody Grimm on IR. Joseph broke his foot two weeks ago in a loss to Baltimore and Grimm suffered ankle and leg fractures in the same game.
Tampa Bay’s offensive line has been hit the hardest by the injury bug. Left tackle Donald Penn is the only Opening Day starter still in the lineup. The running game hasn’t been affected by the injuries, however. Rookie LeGarrette Blount ran for 103 yards on 20 carries against Atlanta.
Blount is averaging nearly 100 yards per game since taking over the lead role from Cadillac Williams. He has failed in short yardage situations, though, causing coach Raheem Morris to say that he will use Earnest Graham in that role this week.
Blount could help Tampa Bay, which has lost two straight for the first time this season, get back on track against the Redskins’ league-worst defense (397.3 ypg).
Washington (5-7) was gashed for 200 yards on the ground in a 31-7 loss to New York last week. In the aftermath, the big story was Haynesworth, who was suspended for the rest of the season without pay for conduct detrimental to the team.
Haynesworth, who signed a seven-year deal $100 million deal (with $41 million guaranteed) last season, has feuded with coach Mike Shanahan all season.
The news of Haynesworth’s suspension has overshadowed the Redskins’ putrid performance against the Giants. Washington turned the ball over six times and trailed 28-0 late in the third quarter.
Donovan McNabb has been part of the problem. His 75.2 quarterback rating is fifth-worst in the NFL, ahead of only the likes of rookie Jimmy Clausen, Alex Smith, Derek Anderson and Brett Favre.
McNabb threw two interceptions and also lost a fumble against the Giants. He has 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in his first season with Washington. McNabb never threw more interceptions than touchdowns in his 11 seasons with Philadelphia.
This is the first meeting between the teams since October 2009, when Washington rattled off 16 straight points in a 16-13 victory.