'Seeing guys take steps!' - Buccaneers coach reveals bye week scouting report

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense led by first-time coordinator Josh Grizzard has been one that has been hit hard by injuries this season, and we are only eight weeks in.

And they've been to key pieces like Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Mike Evans. Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving just to name a few, has seen others like Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson all have to step up and make plays.

And they have.

For Grizzard, the bye week allowed the coaching staff to take stock of the first part of the season, and the one thing he has been pleased with? You guessed it -- the young players stepping up.

“I would say the ability for the guys that have not played much ball to come in here, get up to speed with what we're doing and how we're doing it, how we operate, and just seeing the strides that they've been able to make,” Grizzard said. “From starting their first, second, third game, and the confidence that those guys have, and the things you see in practice showing up on the tape.

"Just seeing those guys take steps.”

More: Why bye week came at 'right time' for Buccaneers

Buccaneers' role-players still needed

The bye week usually sees a host of players injured return, but for Tampa Bay, at the time of writing, it doesn't appear to have done that, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

There is still doubt over Irving and Godwin being able to suit up this week against the New England Patriots, so it will be again, up to Tez, Sterling and Kameron to come to Baker Mayfield's aid.

All have shown up at some point over the last month, along with Cade Otton, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, so it will be much of the same, for Week 10 at least.

The door of opportunity swung open for a handful of younger players, and they've all taken their chances with both hands, but the job isn't done. This is just the start.

The group must continue to "take steps" if the Buccaneers are to survive this crippling injury list and book their spot in the postseason.

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