Injuries Mounting for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Aug 16, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith talks with running back

(25) before facing the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped to 0-2 in the preseason but beyond the scoreboard, the Bucs are getting thinner on the depth chart too as injuries continue to pile up.

The Bucs already knew they’d be without Charles Sims moving forward as he underwent surgery Saturday, which was reported to be successful.

Heading into Saturday’s game against the Dolphins, the Bucs’ two starting cornerbacks sat out once again as Mike Jenkins and Alterraun Verner watched from the sidelines as they nurse injuries. Verner however did return to practice this week but was held out of the game.

Steven Means, who played well in the Bucs’ opening preseason game, also missed out with an injury. J.B. Shugarts and Da’Quan Bowers were also inactive.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Bucs sustained five fresh injuries against Miami.

Cornerback Rashaan Melvin, who started, went down with an ankle injury. Then linebacker Brandon Magee got hurt right before half time.

Major Wright would injure his back as he got kneed by teammate Anthony Gaitor while making a tackle, while William Gholston, who’s expected to have a big impact on the defensive line this year, injured his shoulder making a tackle.

To cap it all off, Mike James went down too. None of them returned.

The Bucs are increasingly thin at cornerback right now and the same could be said for the defensive line. Depending on James’ status, the Bucs, who had great depth at running back a week ago, could suddenly be in the need for some extra depth.