Buccaneers' Leading Linebacker Devin White Declined to Play Against Packers Due to a Trivial Dispute
Before the kickoff on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were already making headlines, not for their plays, but for a decision off the field.
It was reported that linebacker Devin White did not suit up for the game due to a choice made by head coach Todd Bowles. Despite White's full participation in practices later in the week, the coaching dynamic shifted.
According to Rick Stroud from the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers' coaching staff opted to promote K.J. Britt as the starter over White for the game against the Packers. They informed White that he would still get game time, but this arrangement did not sit well with him.
In response, White communicated to the team that he was unable to play, leading to his designation as a healthy scratch for the match.
White had been sidelined for the Buccaneers' previous two matches due to a knee injury. His absence comes amid a tumultuous period following the lack of a contract extension in the offseason. After requesting a trade, White resolved to play the season under the $11.7 million team option. Up to his injury, he accumulated 69 tackles, grabbed an interception, and recorded two sacks in 11 games.
Despite the internal team drama, the Buccaneers emerged victorious against the Packers at Lambeau Field with a score of 34-20, bringing their season record to an even 7-7.
| POLL | ||
19 DECEMBRE | 19 ANSWERS Buccaneers' Leading Linebacker Devin White Declined to Play Against Packers Due to a Trivial Dispute Will the Bucs win the NFC South? | ||
| yes | 11 | 57.9 % |
| no | 8 | 42.1 % |
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