The Rueben Bain Injury
August 26th, 2026
Reason to smile?
So long as the Bucs aren’t losing players to injuries as has happened in past seasons, you can reconsider your trip to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
That’s the word from KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles. ESPN uber insider Adam Schefter gave Bucs fans a stroke this morning when he reported All-World rookie defender Rueben Bain has a shoulder injury.
Must be from tossing all those offensive linemen with Reggie White’s hump move. Schefter reported Bain has an AC (shoulder) injury and it is considered minor.
Now here comes the “But.”
But… NFL teams are not required to release medical information until four days prior to the first game of the regular season. That’s when the first injury reports are released. That’s something to keep in mind.
Bowles waved off the hint that Bain’s shoulder is a major issue after practice with the Jags this morning.
“He’s got a sore shoulder that he’s dealing with, so we kept him out today,” Bowles said. “He’ll be fine.”
Asked if Bain will play at Cincinnati to begin the regular season, Bowles answered, “Yep.”
This morning, Joe texted an orthopedist (and hardcore Bucs fan and friend) about an AC injury. Naturally, the doctor could only respond in general, as he doesn’t have access to Bain’s tests.
“AC shouldn’t be a lingering thing [so long as] there’s nothing else to it.”
If there’s nothing else to it.
No one outside of One Buc Palace knows.
August 26th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
Not worried yet.
18 days is a long time and he knows how to prepare.
August 26th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Saw a few vids of him at practice, jogging w/o a sling and he looked more pissed (w/the resting Bain face) about not practicing than he looked hurt.
August 26th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Speaking of another injury….
Ronde was talking about JJ Roberts’ today on The Ronde Barber Show and said something interesting. He said it may be too late for Roberts after missing so much practice time and almost all of TC, but then he said this and I’m wondering if it was misspeak or what….”(JJ Roberts) dude hasn’t practiced, either can’t or WON’T practice”
So curious about the use of the word “won’t” there. Big difference in can’t and won’t and seemed unsure if it was the former or the latter 🤷♂️
August 26th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Bucky had a shoulder injury as well and we all know how that played out
August 26th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Bucky has mental issues.
August 26th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Will Bowles lose to the Bengals week 1 with his Swiss cheese defense???
Yep
August 26th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
He’s fine
August 26th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
i’m not sure they can stop Joe Burrow and Chase etc, depends who shows up
August 26th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Yep! And so was Baker last season. SMH
Is always Todd’s fault. lol
August 26th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
I figure he’s more likely to exaggerate the injury and hope opponents get complacent than go the other way.
August 26th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
That kids a gamer, he would probably have to lose an arm to not play. More worried about injuries to the receivers and to the offensive line backups.
August 26th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Start AQM against Burrow and let Bain sit. Bain is too valuable to have a lingering shoulder all season. I’m not sure that Bain could flip this game to a win if Burrow and Chase are healthy. Chase was nicked today in practice, so stay tuned…
August 26th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
WTF That’s for Bucs and their medical staff to determine not you JimBob! I’m sure the Bucs won’t chance his career on one game if he is not healthy.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
I’m still not buying that Chase is will be 100%, but I certainly would be wrong.
Today when their coach was asked about the injury, he said he didn’t have an update — which seems different from yesterday when they said he was fine. On video it certainly didn’t look good. We shall see, but if the Bucs miss having to face Chase, that would be a big help and at least help balance out the Bucs no longer having Evans.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
Here we go again, now Bain is hurt. Another high draft pick injured in his first season or 2 before the regular season begins. Kancey has been injured every season, I remember Gerald McCoy even had significant injuries in his first 3 seasons. Young players being available is so vital to the investment the team has made in them. Bain being hurt already is so frustrating as a fan. Just had it with injuries. There is something going on with the training staff. Im not sure but outside looking in. Idk
August 26th, 2026 at 9:50 pm
I’ve had two AC surgeries on the same shoulder, I ain’t laughing. I pray you don’t have what I had. The shoulder is jussst a wee bit important to a football player
August 26th, 2026 at 11:10 pm
4 to 6 weeks injury. But still won’t be fully healed. Rookie season a wash.
August 26th, 2026 at 11:58 pm
When injury reports come out, they can be very misleading, a player can be hurt and if the team is certain they can play, the player may not be listed as questionable. Case in point Baker Mayfield. I remember last season an anti-Baker poster on the board stating (paraphrased by me) “Guys, Baker is not on the injury report, so you cannot blame his bad play on an injury as he has none….” This was obviously false. The reports may not be worth the paper they are written on or kb of traansmitted data they are sent on.
August 27th, 2026 at 12:35 am
RJ…welp you’re full of BS.
August 27th, 2026 at 7:27 am
He’s got a couple of weeks to heal up. Relax.
August 27th, 2026 at 8:55 am
This is giving me Noah Spence flashbacks.
August 27th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Todd also said “Diva is my best player” along with assorted other fibs. A torn rotator cuff is not minor for a pass rusher.
Not buying much of what Todd is selling these days.
Go Bucs!
August 27th, 2026 at 11:07 am
This morning, Joe texted an orthopedist (and hardcore Bucs fan and friend) about an AC injury. Naturally, the doctor could only respond in general, as he doesn’t have access to Bain’s tests.
“AC shouldn’t be a lingering thing [so long as] there’s nothing else to it.”
If there’s nothing else to it.
No one outside of One Buc Palace knows.
____________________
Was it Ira Two Times writing this article? Ira Two Times?
August 27th, 2026 at 11:14 am
You Won’t Remember This but … Todd Bowles is not a Doctor.
For some reason, Joe Fans like to assume a football coach who received a degree in 2023 for youth development knows everything about medicine.
Over the years, Bowles has never once gotten involved in the injuries, diagnosis, or treatment. He coaches the guys that are available and stays focused on the game at hand. If he says a guys is hurt, he’s hurt, and you should not expect any more.
August 27th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Re: the article…
I’ve had a grade 1 AC separation (worse than Bain’s sprain) and, as an NFL player, Bain definitely has a better physique than I did when I messed mine up (in the service). The added muscle will help a lot, and even mine was totally over within 8 weeks. Better physique, better training staff (where I had no training staff at all), better therapy (mine: none at all), and the fact that this is a less severe injury all tell me that it’s not something to be incredibly concerned about right now. If it lingers or is being downplayed, that’s a different story.