Interesting chatter about the Bucs working around the injured shoulder of Miami Mauler edge rusher Rueben Bain.
Yes, Bain sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder on Tuesday during a practice with the Jaguars, per various reports. Joe cautions all fans to realize the Bucs are not obligated to issue an official injury report until four days prior to their first real game. So what’s real or not is unclear.
Is Bain’s shoulder a big deal? That’s unclear. Joe has heard ex-NFL players say every NFL defensive lineman dings up his AC joint every year. Nothing to worry about.
On _Movin’ The Chains_, the premier show on SiriusXM NFL Radio, co-host Pat Kirwan noted the Bucs could move Bain to the right side of the defensive front in order to protect his shoulder earlier in the season. Playing Bain on his usual left side would mean more usage for the right shoulder — ripping, clubbing, etc. Kirwan is a former linebackers coach, Bucs scout and Jets personnel director.
Bain played on both sides of the line in college, though he’s largely been a fixture on the left side in Bucs practices.
Something to keep an eye on. Joe would worry more about YaYa Diaby’s production if he and Bain had to switch positions for a game or two.