Jimmy

Wilkerson

It’s the first we’ve heard of Wilkerson since he spent 2011 on injured reserve. It’s quite possible the 31-year-old, eight-year veteran has played his final snap.

Turk McBride played himself out of the competition during an up-and-down preseason. Allen owners could do worse than Wilkerson as an early-season fill in, but he’ll quickly move back down the bench once Allen returns.

White, a pure pass rusher, is rotating with Jimmy Wilkerson. White didn’t hold up on the left side last year and probably isn’t a solution. The Bucs figure to address this position in the draft, or re-sign incumbent Kevin Carter.

It’s a position of need for the Bucs, with Wilkerson being seen as more of a rotational lineman. Moore won’t be an impact pass rusher, but he’s known as a strong run defender.

A special teamer for five years in Kansas City before joining the Bucs last season, Wilkerson recorded five sacks at both tackle and end last season. Though he’s slimmed down to 265 pounds, he may still be replaced by Stylez G. White on passing downs.

Rookie Kyle Moore offers the best all-around package for the position, but is being tried as an interior rusher for now. Nickel DE Greg “Stylez G.” White will replace Wilkerson on passing downs. There’s little IDP upside here.

Now that’s filling up the stat sheet. Wilkerson now has five sacks on the season, his first as a full-time player after seeing spot duty during five years with the Chiefs.

Carter is ahead of Greg White, who will be the No. 3 end at worst and likely play the most even if he doesn’t formally pass Carter. Jimmy Wilkerson and Marques Douglas are listed as RE Gaines Adams’ backups.

Wilkerson was in the midst of a career year (46 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles), but the ACL tear is going to crush his stock on the 2010 free agent market. He’ll likely only be viewed as a backup “swing” player that may have to begin the year on PUP while coming off reconstructive surgery.