Buccaneers loses pair of cornerbacks in Commanders playoff clash
01/12/2025 11:26 PM
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are involved in a late Sunday night slugfest with the Washington Commanders. But one that saw the Bucs lose two cornerbacks to injuries in their NFL playoff meeting.
Jamel Dean left with a knee injury. Then fellow CB Zyon McCollum sustained a head injury. Dean officially got ruled out, per the Buccaneers’ communications department. McCollum, meanwhile, received evaluation for a concussion.
Both defenders were not on the field during the Commanders’ scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin from five yards to place Washington back in front 20-17 with under 9:50 left.
Dean and McCollum combined for five tackles before leaving Raymond James Stadium. They watched the Bucs tie things up at 20-20 off Chase McLaughlin booting a 32-yard field goal with 4:41 to go.
Did the cornerbacks return for the Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay operated without both veteran defenders. The likes of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans tried to carry the Bucs the rest of the night. But the game ended in pulsating fashion.
Zane Gonzalez lined up for one last field goal. The right-footed kicker watched his attempt sail toward the right — fearing that the ball would miss the middle. But the ball bounced off the upright, then made its way inside the net. Gonzalez lifted Washington to the second round with his dramatic kick.
But that drive became possible thanks to Daniels. He constructed a 10-play, 51-yard drive after that McLaughlin field goal. That Commanders drive ate up nearly all of the remaining 4:41 that was left in the contest.
Daniels took advantage of T.B. not having Dean and McCollum. The rookie QB completed all three of his attempts during that drive, racking up 44 total aerial yards in that final sequence. Daniels picked on backup CB Tavierre Thomas and safety Josh Hayes while the injured defenders weren’t able to finish.
Tampa Bay loses its second Wild Card game in the last three playoffs. Washington now heads to the Motor City to face the top seeded Detroit Lions next Sunday in the divisional round.
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