Aqib Talib, Jeff Faine Sent To IR: Buccaneers' Playoff Hopes All but Dashed

Having lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and with the playoffs looking like less and less of a reality, things are not going well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Monday, they got worse.

The Buccaneers placed cornerback Aqib Talib (hip) and center Jeff Faine (triceps) on injured reserve Monday, making that four starters in the last two weeks sent to IR, if you’re counting.

Safety Cody Grimm and guard Davin Joseph were sent to IR a week ago.

The youngest team in the NFL is getting younger.

In Talib’s absence, second-year pro E.J Biggers will likely assume the starting role, while rookie Myron Lewis will see more work as the third cornerback. Third-year pro Corey Lynch already took over for the rookie Grimm at safety, who took over for the suspended Tanard Jackson early in the year.

The Buccaneers not only lost to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons Sunday—they were effectively eliminated from NFC South contention, as they would have to run the table and get a lot of help from the Falcons and New Orleans Saints down the stretch to even have a chance.

Similarly, they lost any edge they had in the wild card race.

Now seventh in the NFC and one game out of the final wild card slot behind the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, it’s an uphill climb for the Buccaneers.

And it will be exponentially difficult without Talib at corner.

Faine has already missed time this season with injury and Jeremy Zuttah has filled in admirably. However, Zuttah was already filling in for Joseph at guard. Now, Zuttah will likely move back to center and rookie tackle Derek Hardman will move to guard.

Rookie Ted Larsen is already starting at left guard and third-year tackle James Lee has taken over for Jeremy Trueblood.

With Zuttah also in his third year, that makes Donald Penn, in his fifth season, the most experienced Buccaneer offensive lineman.

Despite the inexperience, it's still an opportunity for a handful of young offensive lineman to gain experience and be effectively evaluated.

This will also be a good opportunity for Biggers to improve on his rising stock with head coach Raheem Morris and provide Lewis an opportunity to get more in-game experience.

Sure, these injuries do not come without their positive spins; however, when the Buccaneers sent Talib and Faine to IR, they likely waved goodbye to their playoff hopes along with them.

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