The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t have their versatile, playmaking safety against Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers during Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Rookie Antoine Winfield Jr. injured his ankle during practice this week and was declared inactive for Sunday after going through an on-field workout with the Buccaneers training staff.
Winfield, the 45th overall pick in the 2020 draft, made the PFWA All-Rookie team after producing 94 tackles, one interception, six pass breakups, three sacks and two forced fumbles over 16 regular season games in 2020.
At Pro Football Focus, Winfield was the site’s second-best safety against the run and fourth-best blitzing safety by grade. He ranked 26th overall among safeties.
Last week, Winfield forced a crucial fumble of New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook that eventually led to the game-tying touchdown, helping turn the game in the Bucs’ favor.
Winfield played nearly 1,200 total snaps for the Buccaneers defense in 2020.
Losing Winfield is akin to the Packers not having Adrian Amos.
Mike Edwards will likely replace Winfield in the starting lineup on Sunday.
