TAMPA, Fla. ? Jameis Winston says he won't let a left ankle injury prevent him from playing Sunday in Atlanta, which he considers almost a "home game."
"When it's time to play football, I'm here to play football," said Winston, who injured his left ankle late in Sunday's 34-17 loss to New Orleans.
Playing the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a special treat for Winston, who is from Bessemer, Ala., which is 163 miles west of Atlanta.
"I think what I like the most is I treat Atlanta as a trip for me to go home," Winston said. "I'll have probably have 80 family members there. I just get a chance to see some of my cousins and get a chance to play in front of a lot of people who can't see me play unless we play against Atlanta. So that's what I take the most from it.
"I think it's always a tough matchup against Atlanta any division opponent. But I enjoy playing in front of my family. I enjoy playing in Tampa Bay, too, in front of our fans, too. But Atlanta is like a home game."
Winston has had a lot of success playing in Atlanta as evidenced by his 110.0 career passer rating. He also has thrown 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions against the Falcons, which is tied with the Packers Aaron Rodgers for the most against Atlanta since Winston came into the league in 2015.
Winston also will be reunited with former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, who serves as the Falcons offensive coordinator.
"I'm excited to see coach Koetter," Winston said. "We did some great things while he was here and I just truly appreciate how he coached me and how he handled the team. But I'm excited to see him, too. He's back in Atlanta where he was before he came to Tampa. I think he's up in the box so I probably won't get to see him on the field but I probably pre-game I'll say hello and give him a hug."
