Tampa Bay Buccaneers Place Two Players on Injured Reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are suffering a rash of injuries on their offense, and it will cost them two players for at least four weeks. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports the team is placing offensive tackle Josh Wells and running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve:

Bucs placed T Josh Wells and RB Giovani Bernard on IR.
Signed Cole Beasley and OT Justin Skule to practice squad.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 21, 2022

Wells started at left tackle in Week 2 in place of fellow injured offensive lineman Donovan Smith. Wells played 23 snaps before going down with a calf injury. Smith's injury was not considered severe, so it's possible he'll be able to return to the blindside sooner than later. Bernard had played exclusively special teams so far this season and suffered an ankle injury at some point against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Running backs Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White will continue to dominate touches in his absence.

Wells has provided important depth for the Bucs' offensive line since 2019, starting nine games as the primary backup at offensive tackle. An eight-year veteran, Wells has hung around the league despite entering as an undrafted free agent and never starting more than five games in a season. Bernard, on the other hand, was once a star for the Cincinnati Bengals. They drafted the shifty back 37th overall in 2013, and he compiled 6564 yards from scrimmage and 33 total touchdowns for the team before joining the Buccaneers in 2021. He has totalled 181 yards and three touchdowns for the Bucs in 14 regular season appearances.