The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have starting cornerback Jamel Dean back on the practice field on Monday morning.
The Buccaneers opened the 21-day window for Dean to return from injured reserve, where he has been since October 21 due to a hamstring injury suffered against the New Orleans Saints in Week Six. Dean has missed the required minimum of four games and is now eligible to be activated at any point over the next three weeks, meaning he could return to game action as soon as this coming Sunday against the New York Giants.
Coming off their bye week, the Buccaneers will conduct a "bonus" walk-through on Monday before resuming a normal game-week schedule on Wednesday. Until he is activated to the 53-man roster – which will require a corresponding move to clear a spot – Dean does not count against that player limit.
Dean started the first six games of the season opposite fellow outside corner Zyon McCollum. In his absence, undrafted rookie Tyrek Funderburk and second-year player Josh Hayes have each started two contests. In his six games, Dean contributed 43 tckles and four passes defensed.
A third-round draft pick in 2019, Dean has played in 76 games with 57 starts and has amassed 297 tackles, seven interceptions, 49 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
