Buccaneers DL Da’Quan Bowers In Danger Of Being Cut?

Buccaneers DL Da’Quan Bowers is dealing with a groin strain and, according to HC Lovie Smith, it’s hurting his chances of making the team.

“I think every day you don’t practice you’re huring your chances (of making the team),” Smith said, via the Tampa Bay Tribune. “We’ve seen enough to like Da’Quan a lot. But all the reps that he’s not getting, someone else is getting them. The best way to beat your competition sometimes is just to stay on the field. You can’t get Wally Pipped. Da’Quan is trying to get back. Again, I think he has a future in the league, whether it be as a defensive end outside or more of a third down rush guy inside.”

Bowers wound up missing last weekend’s game against the Dolphins due to the injury and hasn’t practiced in over a week, so there really is a good deal of concern that he could be on the chopping block. As of now, his status for Saturday’s game against the Bills is uncertain.

Bowers, 24, is a former second-round pick of the Buccaneers. However, it’s worth mentioning that the current Bucs regime didn’t draft him. He’s missed nine games in the past two years with injuries, so this remains a pretty big concern for him moving forward.

Bowers is in the final year of his rookie contract and stands to make $900,768 for the upcoming season.