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Bucs Add DB Depth Amidst Winfield's Injury, Murphy-Bunting Loss
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- Bucs Add DB Depth Amidst Winfield's Injury, Murphy-Bunting Loss
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to be plagued with injury through the opening four weeks of the NFL season, with starting safety Antoine Winfield Jr. being the latest addition to the list.
Winfield, who suffered a fractured rib in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers , will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks, according to head coach Todd Bowles, who has not yet made any designation on placing him on injured reserve.
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With this injury and the loss of veteran defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting , who was poached by the Pittsburgh Steelers from Tampa's practice squad, the front office added free agent defensive back Brandon Johnson on Tuesday morning.
Johnson, who spent his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, will fill in on the practice squad in lieu of Murphy-Bunting, while potentially being needed to supplement the defensive backfield on the official roster.
As an undrafted free agent signing, Johnson appeared in three games with the Eagles last season, making one start.
He recorded three tackles and one pass defensed before being cut in the offseason.
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In college, Johnson began his career at Duke (2021-2023), where he recorded 128 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and 7.5 sacks.
In 2022, Johnson was among the FBS leaders in sacks at his position, recording 5.5.
For a Buccaneers defense that likes to use it's defensive backs in blitz packages, Johnson gives head coach Todd Bowles that ability.
Following his three-year stay at Duke, Johnson spent his senior campaign with Oregon, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.
The Newton, NC, native recorded 45 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, six passes defensed and one interception as a Duck, helping lead Oregon to a perfect 13-0 regular season record.
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For a Buccaneers team desperately needing to turn around their season, it remains to be seen what type of impact Johnson will have.
But, with Winfield missing significant time, and second-year defensive back B enjamin Morrison still banged up, his number may be called.
Overall, Tampa's secondary has played well this season, with Zyon McCollum stepping up as the lead corner and young talents like Keionte Scott and Jacob Parrish coming into their own within Bowles' defense.
Third-year safety Tykee Smith has also played well, earning a NFL Team of the Week designation from Pro Football Focus thanks to his play on Sunday.
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The former Georgia Bulldog recorded a season-high six tackles, while forcing a fumble.
Entering a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Dallas Cowboys and their potent offensive attack, Smith will need to have another big showing.
