Tampa Bay Buccaneers Declare Cornerback Out for Week 16

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without one of their best defensive backs for at least another week. At his Wednesday press conference, head coach Todd Bowles declared cornerback Jamel Dean out for the team's Week 16 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals due to a toe injury.

Todd Bowles says Jamel Dean is not in play to return this week from his toe injury.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 21, 2022

Dean sustained a toe injury in the Bucs' Week 15 35-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He has started 12 games this season, nabbing two interceptions and allowing a 79.0 passer rating on throws in his direction.

Dean has been one of the Bucs' better players on a unit that has emerged as the team's strength. The Bucs' defense has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards in the league and the sixth-best net yards per passing attempt, and his 79.1 Pro Football Focus overall grade ranks first among qualifying Buccaneers cornerbacks. At 6-8, the team remains in the lead in the NFC South, but games against the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons in the coming weeks could easily turn the standings upside down.

Dean joined the Bucs as their 94th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He served as an effective rotational defensive back early on in his career before emerging as a consistent starter this year. He's set to hit unrestricted free agency following this season and could be in line for a payday similar to the three-year, $44.5 million contract signed by fellow Buccaneer Carlton Davis earlier this year.