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Duke in the NFL: Shaun Wilson inactive for first time this season

By Kevin Connelly

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts to another touchdown by the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts to another touchdown by the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The former Duke Football star has had a limited role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but in Week 4, Shaun Wilson was a healthy scratch.

He wasn’t lighting it up throughout the first three weeks of the NFL season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Head Coach Dirk Koetter decided to make Shaun Wilson a healthy scratch for the teams game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Tampa Bay went with three running backs in today’s 48-10 loss to the Bears. Peyton Barber, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Tampa Bay second round pick Ronald Jones was active for the first time all season instead of Wilson.

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Jones got a majority of the work in the blowout, carrying the football ten times for 29 yards, while Barber received seven handoffs for 24 yards.

In the three weeks the Wilson was active he was given two carries where he ran for 15 total yards and he also reeled in two passes for nine yards.

Wilson has also made an impact on special teams for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he has returned six kickoffs for a total of 97 yards, his longest return being 29 yards.

Barring injury to any of the other three backs, it seems tough to see a path where Wilson can get back on the field as Tampa Bay is committed to their two veteran running backs and their second round pick instead of the undrafted free agent out of Duke.

After a very hot start, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head into their bye week at 2-2 on the season with a matchup against NFC South rival the Atlanta Falcons on October 14 in Week 6.

After what may be the most embarrassing loss in the young NFL season, the Tampa Bay coaches will need to have some tough conversations about which players give them the best chance to win.

Head Coach Koetter said that everyone on the field should be fired today, including him.

Well, Shaun Wilson wasn’t on the field today and the numbers don’t lie. When Shaun Wilson is active the Buccaneers are 2-1, when he is not they are 0-1.

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