Still In Protocol

November 19th, 2020

Status unknown for Monday.

Bucs left guard Ali Marpet, who was having his best season since being drafted out of tiny Hobart College in 2015, remains a mystery for Monday night’s game against the Rams.

Marpet has been in concussion protocol since shortly after the win over the Giants. In a Sunday night crapfest against New Orleans, his replacement, Joe Haeg, shat himself so bad that the entire left side of the Bucs offensive line collapsed.

Last week the line played significantly better when Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians shifted Ryan Jensen from center to left guard in Marpet’s spot and 34-year-old veteran A.Q. Shipley played center.

Now comes a different beast with the Rams and Aaron Donald, who plays right defensive end in the Rams’ 34 defense.

Jenna Laine of ESPN reports Marpet is back at practice today but still limited as he remains in concussion protocol. Laine details how Marpet will be able to get out of protocol and back onto the playing field.

Bucs left guard Ali Marpet is practicing with teammates today but he’s not participating in any contact work. He’s still in the concussion protocol. Practicing is part of the protocol and it’s a positive step that he continues to practice but he has to be symptom-free to get final clearance.

Yes, the Bucs sure could use Marpet but Joe isn’t losing a lot of sleep with Jensen playing in his place. The key to the offensive line, as usual, will be left tackle Donovan Smith.

Now in his sixth season, Smith has about four bad games a season. Problem is, that remaining 25 percent is when Smith gets lit up like a Christmas tree. His bad games are bad.

Smith did not play well against the slimy Saints. Usually, when Smith has a bad game, he goes on a streak of solid if not excellent games. Joe hopes that streak continues.

The cleaner park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, jet ski-losing Bucs quarterback Tom Brady’s jersey is, the better the Bucs’ chances are to win.

11 Responses to “Still In Protocol”

  1. 813bucboi Says:

    i agree regarding the protection….d.smith will be the key…

    GO BUCS!!!!

  2. View from 132 Says:

    This tells you how severe some of the knocks these guys absorb are and how much force hit the dude’s brain. Hope he’s alright. Smarter to let him rest through the bye week.

  3. SOEbuc Says:

    What do they do to determine if someone is being affected from a concussion after 3 weeks and determine if they can go or not?

  4. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    wtf

  5. bojim Says:

    Agree View132.

  6. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Maybe AB should be under protocol…..

  7. Show Me the TDs Says:

    Joe, I think you need to look up the definition of “details”.

  8. buc15 Says:

    Rest up big fella. Life goes well beyond football so take care of yourself.

  9. Mitch Says:

    SOEbuc they look at many things. Could be his neurological system, motor skill function, change in balance, dizziness, cognitive skills, sleep, mood, headache, vision problems etc.. there’s a whole lot. It’s also easier to get a second concussion after your first. Each impact is different and so are the effects on the person. Ive had multiple concussions from sports. I wonder if he suffered a more serious injury like a complex concussion because he stayed in the game after getting his bell rung the first time.

  10. David Says:

    To the first post on here, D Smith is not the key this week. Aaron Donald up the gut is the key this week.
    They need Ali back!

  11. 3rdGenNative Says:

    Are you kidding me? Smith is awful! He has a bad game every game! He has good play here and there and then spectates the rest of the game. Just watch Buccaneer Observer on youtube to see how much Smith likes to watch football! We need Marpet back badly