The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense is one of the toughest groups for teams to face off against, regardless of who they have as playmakers on their side. For the Bucs, they have Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David, and so many others who are proven difference makers who match up well. However, some players are just too much for any team’s defensive difference makers to overcome, and one of their upcoming opponents has one of those.
The Bucs are going to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 of the season, and in that matchup, they may be welcoming back one of those significant playmakers.
The 49ers placed their All-Pro tight end, George Kittle, on injured reserve on Tuesday, and he will miss a minimum of four weeks with a hamstring injury. The four weeks he would miss would line up perfectly with a return for the matchup with the Bucs. Of course, no one wants these players to be hurt and missing time, so his coming back as soon as possible is great. His return in Week 6 is going to be a stiff test for the Bucs, though, as they have shown to be challenged by tight ends who are the types of athletes that Kittle is.
The Bucs started the season off well, covering tight ends by holding the Falcons’ Kyle Pitts in check after he dominated them in 2024. Kittle is on a different level, though, so be on the lookout for his return and how it will impact the Bucs in Week 6.