Just days after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Richard Sherman not only will make his debut in Sunday’s showdown against the New England Patriots — but will start in the “Sunday Night Football” matchup, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Sherman, who signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay last week, was expected to play due to the Buccaneers having injuries with their top cornerbacks. Sean Murphy-Bunting was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow last week while Carlton Davis (hamstring) and Jamel Dean (knee) also nursing injuries that affects their game status. Davis is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision while Dean is out for Sunday’s game against New England.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said he would have Sherman on the active roster just in case one of the cornerbacks were unable to go, as Tampa Bay is relying on his starting experience in the biggest game of its young season. Sherman played just five games in 2020 with the San Francisco 49ers and allowed just a 57.1% completion rate and a 56.3 passer rating as the primary defender. The 33-year old Sherman was a Pro Bowler in 2019 when he logged 61 tackles, 11 passes defensed and three interceptions. Opposing cornerbacks had just a 36.8 passer rating when targeting Sherman as the primary defender, as Sherman allowed just one touchdown on the year.
The Buccaneers aren’t placing any high expectations on Sherman in his debut, part of what makes Tampa Bay a strong fit for veteran free agents.
“I don’t think it’s [different from] the expectations with any of our guys – it’s just to run the system, learn what he can do, what he can’t do and try to play to his strengths just like anyone else,” defensive coordinator Todd Bowles said this week. “We’re not going to baby him or complicate it any more than what he can do or what we have him do.
“He’s just going to fit in, see what he can do, and we’ll go as we see it.”
Latest Odds: New England Patriots +7
