Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson is reportedly expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a knee injury against the Washington Redskins this past Sunday, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.
Jackson saw 36 snaps this Sunday until he left the game in the third quarter due to his knee injury. The Buccaneers' receiving core looks very thin after losing Jackson.
The Buccaneers also took a huge blow to their receiving core this past weekend when Louis Murphy reportedly tore his ACL, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson. Murphy suffered the injury after making a 29-yard catch and run against the Redskins this past Sunday.
Without Murphy and Jackson for at least the next couple weeks, quarterback Jameis Winston will look to Mike Evans, Russell Shepard and Donteea Dye to step up. The Buccaneers may bring in some receivers to look at this week, as they are clearly thin at the position.
Jackson is a huge impact player for the Buccaneers and already has 319 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season. Tampa Bay is in last place in the NFC South, and with the two teams already at six wins, it seems unlikely for them to push for the playoffs this season.
Head coach Lovie Smith will look for other players to step up in the absence of Jackson and Murphy but will likely rely on the running game with a depleted receiving core. The Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, and without two of their top receivers, it looks to be a difficult game.
