NFL Rumors: Bucs Could Be Short Another Two Key Linemen in Week 3

The hits keep coming for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite their 2-0 start, the team is piling up injury after injury at key positions. Head coach Todd Bowles shared at his Monday media availability that offensive lineman Josh Wells and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks were hurt in Tampa's Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints:

Head Coach Todd Bowles says DL Akiem Hicks and T Josh Wells are “hurt pretty good” and their availability for the next game is currently unknown.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 19, 2022

Wells had been starting at left tackle in place of injured veteran Donovan Smith, who could potentially make his way back as soon as this week. Hicks was one of the Bucs' free agent splashes this offseason, signing a one-year, $8 million deal to man the inside of the team's defensive line next to established star Vita Vea. Should he be unavailable, the Bucs will likely lean on a rotation of William Gholston, Logan Hall, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches at defensive tackle.

The Bucs have already seen one of the league's best rosters disintegrate early in the season, particularly on offense. In addition to the injuries to Wells and Smith, wide receivers Chris Godwin and Julio Jones missed Week 2 with no set timetables to return. Tampa will need its defense to continue its dominant beginning to the year if they want to top the Green Bay Packers in Week 3's massive NFC clash. The Bucs have allowed a mere 13 points through the first two weeks of the season while tallying 10 sacks and six takeaways.