Jamel

Dean

It was reported earlier in the day that Dowdle was unlikely to suit up due to his ongoing foot injury, so this doesn’t come as a major surprise. We could be looking at a big game for Jaylen Warren against an underperforming Colts defense. With Keenan Allen back for the Colts, the injury to Jamel Dean is a bit of a blow to this Pittsburgh secondary.

He was limited all three days this week and expressed uncertainty about his status for the game when asked on Thursday. He’s best regarded as a true game-time decision; the Steelers would surely like to have him on deck against Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Joining Porter on the questionable line is fellow CB Jamel Dean (ankle), who was limited the last two practices of the week after missing Wednesday.

Dean continued to play well for the Buccaneers in 2025, earning a PFF coverage grade of 75.9 while allowing just 25 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. Dean joins a secondary that recently re-signed Asante Samuel Jr., and still has Joey Porter Jr. under contract for one more season. All three corners have spent most of their career playing on the outside, so it will be interesting to see how the new coaching regime manages what looks to be a solid secondary.

The Buccaneers spent a third-round pick on Dean in 2019. He has never played elsewhere. Groin, hip and shoulder injuries caused him to miss time last year, though he still intercepted three passes and PFF credits him with seven forced incompletions.

The Buccaneers will be without their No. 1 cornerback against the Panthers this week. It will be tougher for the Buccaneers to cover Panthers rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan sans Dean, which is a plus for fantasy purposes. Hopefully, Dean can resume playing this season if the Buccaneers punch a ticket to the playoffs.

The Buccaneers’ No. 1 cornerback is now on the wrong side of questionable for his team’s Week 18 game against the Panthers. The Buccaneers (7-9) and Panthers (8-8) are playing for the NFC South title and a postseason appearance.

Dean has been by far Tampa’s best cornerback this year, producing a 76.9 PFF coverage grade. It would be a big loss if he wasn’t able to go against the Panthers on Saturday. Dean left Week 17’s loss to the Dolphins in the third quarter and did not return.

Dean left in the third quarter against the Dolphins and was getting his shoulder tested on the sidelines. Dean had two tackles and a pass defensed before leaving. Jacob Parrish will be in the game to replace Dean in the secondary rotations.

Reddick has not been able to play since Week 7 and is not yet back at practice. Also not practicing on defense were Jamel Dean (hip) and Chris Braswell (foot). Dean is week-to-week with his injury while Braswell’s is new and Reddick does not have a timeline for his return. The Bucs defense will be sparse if neither of the three can suit up for Week 12 against the Rams.

Dean exited Sunday’s game against the Bills and will be evaluated later in the week, according to Bowles. This sounds like a minor injury to Dean, who has already notched a career-high three interceptions this season while also totaling six pass breakups and 28 tackles on the year. The Bucs will hope he’ll have enough time to get right ahead of a big Sunday night matchup against the Rams in Week 12.