Bucs edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul could miss Patriots game

While the physical toll of Sunday’s loss to the Rams won’t be known for another couple of days, Bucs coach Bruce Arians indicated Monday his team could be short-handed entering this weekend’s showdown in New England.

Veteran edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who missed Sunday’s game with unspecified hand and shoulder injuries, isn’t expected back this week. Pierre-Paul received a second opinion in Denver last week, and the treatment called for rest.

“I’ve got to wait and see Wednesday,” Arians said. “I don’t foresee (him being ready), but knowing JPP anything is possible.”

Arians had no update Monday on the status of cornerback Jamel Dean (knee), tailback Giovani Bernard (knee) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs), all of whom were injured Sunday. Added to the list is receiver Scotty Miller, whom the coach said is dealing with “a pretty severe turf toe.”

Gronkowski, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots who hasn’t played a game in Gillette Stadium since Jan. 13, 2019, returned to action in the second half after sustaining the third-quarter injury.

Elsewhere, the team reinstated reserve inside linebacker Kevin Minter back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but still awaits word on receiver Antonio Brown, who joined Minter on the list last week.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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