Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Officially franchise tagged
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The Buccaneers placed their franchise tag on Winfield on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Winfield's franchise tag positions him to earn $17.1 million to play for Tampa Bay on a one-year deal for the 2024 season, but he and the Buccaneers are reportedly using it as a bridge to come to terms on a true long-term extension, negotiations which both sides have until mid-July to complete. Across 17 regular-season games in 2023, the All-Pro safety recorded 122 tackles (76 solo), six sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Thrives in contract year
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Winfield finished the 2023 regular season with 122 tackles (76 solo), six sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries across 17 regular-season games. He added five tackles (four solo) and a pass defensed in two postseason contests.
The fourth-year safety's tackle, interception, passes defensed, forced fumbles and fumble recovery totals all qualified as career highs. Winfield certainly picked an opportune time for a breakout campaign, considering he's set to hit free agency at the start of the new league year in March. However, given his importance to the Buccaneers defense, it would appear likely the team makes a serious attempt to retain him before he enters the open market.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Records sack in season finale
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Winfield recorded five sacks (four solo), including a sack, in the Buccaneers' 9-0 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Winfield's tackle total checked in third on the afternoon for the Buccaneers, and it included his career-high sixth sack of the season. The fourth-year safety established new personal bests in tackles (122), interceptions (three), passes defensed (12), forced fumbles (six) and fumble recoveries (four) across 17 games, and he'll be a key asset once again when he faces the Eagles in Monday night's home wild-card matchup.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Seven tackles in loss
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Winfield had seven tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 23-13 loss to the Saints.
David was one of three Bucs defenders to register seven total tackles Sunday. The 2020 second-round pick out of Minnesota has 117 tackles (73 solo), including 5.0 sacks, 12 passes defended, three interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries -- all career highs -- over 16 games this season.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Picks off pass in victory
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Winfield notched three tackles (all solo), including one sack, and added an interception and a fumble recovery in Sunday's 30-12 win over Jacksonville.
Winfield tied his season-low mark in stops, but he nonetheless played a significant part in Tampa Bay's victory. The star safety intercepted a Trevor Lawrence pass in the second quarter, sacked Lawrence later in the period, and recovered an Evan Engram fumble in the fourth. Winfield entered the weekend deemed questionable due to a calf injury, but he played 67 percent of the Buccaneers' defensive snaps Sunday and appeared to come away without any setbacks.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Pops up on Friday injury report
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Winfield (calf) did not participate in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Winfield was a full participant in the first two practices of the week, but didn't practice Friday, and his status for Sunday's game is now up in the air. If he's unable to suit up, Dee Delaney or Kaevon Merriweather are candidates to start at free safety alongside strong safety Ryan Neal.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Continues impressive streak
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Winfield made eight tackles (four solo), one sack and one forced fumble during Sunday's 29-25 win over the Falcons.
Winfield has continued to build upon his momentum, with 42 total tackles across his last four appearances, in addition to two sacks, four passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble. The four-year veteran will look to continue building upon what's already a career season on the road against Green Bay in Week 15.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Another impact game Sunday
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Winfield recorded eight tackles (four solo), including a sack, in the Buccaneers' 29-25 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Winfield tied with K.J. Britt for second on the team in tackles while recording a sack for the second straight game. The fourth-year pro now has at least eight stops in four straight games as well, leading to a career-high 97 tackles. Winfield is also boasting career-best figures in forced fumbles (four) and defensed passes (11) while tying his previous high-water marks in sacks (four), interceptions (two) and fumble recoveries (three).
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Career-high tackle total Sunday
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Winfield collected 16 tackles (nine solo) in the Buccaneers' 27-14 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.
The fourth-year safety was all over the field, compiling a career-high tackle total that was partly the byproduct of Lavonte David exiting the game in the second half with a groin strain. Winfield now has two double-digit tackle tallies on the campaign, and his prolific effort against the 49ers pushed him over the 70-tackle mark for fourth time in as many pro seasons. With David and Winfield's secondary mates Carlton Davis (hip) and Jamel Dean (foot/ankle) all suddenly iffy for a Week 12 road matchup against the Colts, Winfield could be due for another busy afternoon versus Indianapolis.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Productive in loss
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Winfield logged 11 tackles (five solo) in Monday's 25-11 loss to the Eagles.
Winfield's tackle total was the most he has recorded through three games this season. He also saw the field for all 78 defensive snaps, which makes it back-to-back contests in which he's played every defensive snap. The safety will look to stay active in Week 4 when the Bucs head to New Orleans.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Full practice Wednesday
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Winfield (leg) was a full participant at the Buccaneers' practice Wednesday.
Winfield missed Tampa Bay's final preseason game while dealing with an undisclosed leg injury, but he appears to be ready to go for Sunday's regular-season opener versus the Vikings. The safety is entering his fourth season with the team and recorded 64 solo tackles, including a career-high four sacks, in 2022.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Hopeful for Week 1 return
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Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Sunday that the team is "hopeful" Winfield (undisclosed) will be ready for the Bucs' season opener against the Vikings on Sept. 10, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Winfield sat out Saturday's 26-20 preseason win over the Ravens and was seen watching from the sidelines with a sleeve on his leg. Most of the Bucs' starters played in the preseason finale outside of Winfield, linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans. Nolan Turner, Richard LeCounte and Christian Izien should fill in for Winfield if the 2020 second-round pick is ruled out for Week 1.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Moving back to free safety
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Winfield confirmed Tuesday that he'll be moving back to free safety for the 2023 campaign, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Head coach Todd Bowles hopes Winfield's transition back to the middle of the field will create an uptick in turnovers for Tampa Bay's defense, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports. The 2020 second-round pick operated as a free safety during his first two NFL campaigns, but he had a more versatile role in 2022 and played closer to the line of scrimmage. Across 42 career games, Winfield has totaled 246 tackles (174 solo), nine sacks, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Standout effort in Week 17
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Winfield recorded six tackles (five solo), including one sack, during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.
Winfield logged one of two sacks of Sam Darnold on the afternoon, pushing his season total to a career-high four. The third-year pro has 13 combined stops over the last two games, affording him some solid momentum going into the regular-season finale versus the Falcons.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Cleared for Sunday Night Football
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Winfield (ankle) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Winfield will suit up for a second straight game despite not practicing during Week 16 prep due to a lingering ankle issue. He played only 18 defensive snaps in Week 15, so it's possible the third-year safety will be limited during Sunday's contest. Mike Edwards (hamstring) and Keanu Neal (toe) are also active after being listed as questionable, so Tampa Bay will have all four of its safeties available against Arizona.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Deemed questionable for Sunday
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Winfield (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals.
Winfield didn't practice during Week 16 prep due to a lingering ankle injury, but he'll still have a chance to suit up Sunday. Mike Edwards (hamstring) and Keanu Neal (toe) are also questionable, so Tampa Bay's safety corps could be without a couple of key members against Arizona.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Active in Week 15
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Winfield (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 15 clash against the Bengals, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Winfield will therefore make his return from a two-game absence after managing to turn in limited practices throughout the week. The star safety's return coincides with that of position mate Mike Edwards (hamstring), meaning the Buccaneers will have the back end of their defense intact against the Bengals' dangerous air attack.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Chance to play Sunday
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Winfield (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Winfield was limited throughout Week 15 prep due to an ankle injury that's already sidelined him for back-to-back games. However, he's being listed as questionable for the first time since suffering the issue, suggesting he's at least making some progress. Mike Edwards (hamstring) is also questionable, so if both of Tampa Bay's starting safeties are sidelined again, expect Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal to continue filling in.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Sits out practice Thursday
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Winfield (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on the Buccaneers' injury report Thursday.
Winfield sprained his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Browns, leaving him sidelined for Tampa Bay's first practice ahead of Week 13. The 24-year-old will now have two more practices to increase his activity, or he could be set to sit out against New Orleans on Monday. With fellow starting safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) also sidelined during practice Thursday, Nolan Turner and Keanu Neal could be asked to step up if Logan Ryan (foot) is not activated from IR before Monday Night Football.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: Unavailable for Week 9
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Winfield (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 9 versus the Rams, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Winfield progressed well in practice this week, but he'll ultimately miss one more contest as he recovers from the concussion he suffered in Week 7 against Carolina. In his absence, Keanu Neal will likely step into a starting role in the Buccaneers' secondary for a second straight game.
