SirVocea

Dennis

Davis was already trending in this direction after being held out of practice all week. The Buccaneers’ pass defense will need to find a way to limit Justin Fields and the Bears’ passing attack without Davis, although the Bears did plenty to slow their own offense last week against the Buccaneers. In addition to Davis, the Bucs also ruled out DL Calijah Kancey (calf) and LB SirVocea Dennis (hamstring).

Dennis (6’0/226) was a starter for the Panthers in each of his final three seasons with the team and received second-team All-ACC honors in 2021. Dennis terrorized opposing backfields to the tune of 36 tackles for loss in his final three seasons and graded as one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the nation last season per PFF. Dennis gets downhill quickly and has good ball-tracking instincts. His slight frame results in him being moved off his spot from time to time, but he’s a rangy player who will pursue a play to either side of the field in short order. Dennis could eventually carve out a starting role, but will likely start his NFL career on special teams.