Sean Murphy-Bunting and Scotty Miller Possible Return

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a significant blow in Week 1’s NFL Kickoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, one that has seemed to haunt the team for a large portion of the season. The loss of cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has been more than just noteworthy; it’s been cataclysmic. Various additions have been made to the roster in an attempt to sure-up a sinking Buccaneers secondary; only band-aids, the vacancy left in Murphy-Bunting’s absence is more than apparent. The Buccaneers’ backups have played well enough, but it’s obvious that they are not able to complete this Grave Digger Defense. Additionally, veteran cornerback Richard Sherman and Rashard Robinson; were added to the lineup only to find themselves as spot on the Injured Reserve. The Bucs can’t catch a break.

Murphy-Bunting was expected to miss the entire season but now is on the very brink of return, so much so that he may even play in this Monday Night game. Another return is Scotty Miller. Miller suffered a severe case of Turf Toe in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, and it was believed that he could also miss the season. He’s at the door waiting to come in. Miller may not see play on Monday Night against the Giants, but having him ready to return is more than good news for a Tampa Bay football team heading into the final eight-game stretch of the season. Following Saturday’s practice, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was asked whether or not Miller or Muprhy Bunting has suffered any setbacks towards being ready to be activated from the Injured Reserve. He had this to say:

“No. No, I think Sean has shown me that he’s probably ready to go, and we’ll just see if we’re going to make that roster move yet,” Arians conveyed to various members of the media on Saturday. “Scotty, it’s just a matter of need, really, because we have enough receivers. We have BP [Breshad Perriman] for another week. We’ll wait and see where that one goes, but he’s ready.”

It certainly sounds like Sean Murphy-Bunting is ready to return, if not this week, next week. Scotty Miller is an added extra threat at the receiver position, and if needed, he could be activated quickly. IT will be nice to have last year’s team complete and on deck heading into this final stretch of the 2021 NFL season.