Coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Dennis (shoulder) won't be available again in 2024 unless the Buccaneers reach the playoffs, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Dennis recently underwent surgery to address a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4 versus the Eagles, and it now looks like he could be sidelined until 2025. In his absence, K.J. Britt figures to continue to play a near-every down role at inside linebacker next to Lavonte David.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Allen (shoulder), who was placed on IR on Tuesday, will have his status evaluated week-to-week, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. Dennis's placement on IR rules him out until at least Week 9, making his earliest possible return date Nov. 4 versus the Chiefs, but it sounds like the severity of the second-year pro's injury could require he remain sidelined longer. Allen also said that Dennis dealt with a shoulder injury during summer practices and was "touch-and-go." K.J. Britt played 94 percent of defensive snaps during Thursday's loss to the Falcons, with Dennis sidelined.
The Buccaneers placed Dennis on injured reserve Tuesday due to a shoulder injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that the shoulder injury Dennis sustained during Sunday's win over the Eagles was "pretty bad," per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Dennis will now be required to miss at least the next four games of the regular season, which would put his earliest return date at Week 9 against the Chiefs on Nov. 4, though the severity of the injury could force the 2023 fifth-round pick to sit beyond the minimum window. K.J. Britt saw an uptick in defensive snaps at inside linebacker after Dennis went down in the second quarter of Sunday's game, and the former should slide into the starting role alongside Lavonte David moving forward.
Head coach Todd Bowles stated Monday that Dennis hurt his shoulder "pretty bad" in Sunday's win over the Eagles, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Dennis exited in the second quarter of the Week 4 matchup and was unable to return to the game. It's not clear that he will, but likely safe to assume the second-year pro will undergo some imaging to diagnose the injury. With the Buccaneers on a short week and traveling to Atlanta for a Thursday matchup, Dennis may be closer to doubtful than questionable, but more details won't be known until the team releases its first injury report for the week.
Dennis (shoulder) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Eagles, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports. Dennis' inability to return will be a blow to Tamp Bay's linebacker corps. In his continued absence, K.J. Britt will likely see an uptick in snaps in the second half of Week 4.
Dennis is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Eagles due to a shoulder injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports. Dennis walked off the field with trainers in the second quarter of Sunday's game. K.J. Britt is the top candidate to see increased snaps at inside linebacker alongside starter Lavonte David for as long as Dennis is sidelined.
Dennis recorded 10 total tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions. Dennis was a busy man once again in Week 2, securing double-digit stops for the first time in his career. The linebacker played 44 of the team's 85 total defensive snaps in the contest. Dennis has now compiled 17 total tackles (11 solo) through two games in 2024, already surpassing the 13 tackles he produced over 13 contests in his rookie campaign in 2023.
Dennis recorded seven tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, during the Buccaneers' 37-20 win over the Commanders in Week 1. Dennis finished as the second-leading tackler behind safety Jordan Whitehead, and he impressively racked up his solid tackle total on just 19 snaps from scrimmage. The second-year pro, a fifth-round pick in 2023, played on only 96 snaps during his rookie campaign, but Dennis projects for a larger role this season following the offseason departures of Devin White and Shaquil Barrett.
Dennis (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Dennis missed time in August due to a shoulder injury, but it appears he's returned just in time for the Buccaneers' regular-season opener Sunday. With Dennis back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of Tampa Bay's top rotational inside linebackers in 2024.