The Buccaneers lost a crucial defensive player for Week 3
The Green Bay Packers may have caught a break before flying to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers in Week 3. The Packers are starting to find their groove after defeating the Chicago Bears 27-10 last weekend on Sunday Night Football. This week, the Packers can gain a momentum boost if they can beat a Buccaneers team that many analysts think will be the Packers’ main competition for a Super Bowl spot.
The Buccaneers will be a little short-handed in the matchup. They will miss their wide receiver Mike Evans, who has been suspended. The Buccaneers added a wide receiver, Cole Beasley, to quickly try and mend a weak wide receiver room without Evans. News came out this afternoon the Buccaneers will miss another vital player on the roster, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. Hicks was injured in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints and had to leave the game.
Per Adam Schefter, Hicks tore his plantar fascia and will be sidelined for a month.
Bucs’ DT Akiem Hicks tore the plantar fascia in his foot and is now expected to be sidelined a month, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2022
Hicks gets pressure on quarterbacks
This is a big break for the Packers in Week 3. Especially with an offensive line that is struggling with injuries. Hicks signed this offseason with the Buccaneers. Before this season, Hicks spent a long run with the Chicago Bears from 2016-2021. In his six years with the Bears, Hicks earned 31 sacks. He has 40 total sacks for his career. Hicks was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018 when he registered 7.5 sacks.
The 32-year-old is aging for NFL standards at the defensive tackle position, but Hicks can still get after quarterbacks. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely feel better knowing he won’t have to face Hicks. (Rodgers used to have to see him twice a year and has been sacked by the 324-pound athlete before.) This should help the interior run game as well. Not that they need much help as it is in that department, as the Packers ran for over 200 yards against the Bears in Week 2.
