Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Could get look at safety
Rotowire
Izien will take reps at free safety during the offseason, according to safeties coach Nick Rapone, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Izien spent most of last season working as Tampa Bay's slot corner, but he may find himself with a more dynamic role in 2024. It's unclear if the Buccaneers have someone else in mind to handle slot duties in his place, or if they just want to see if Izien could help bolster their depth at safety.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Stays busy as rookie
Rotowire
Izien provided 65 tackles (47 solo), two interceptions and a forced fumble across 17 regular-season games in 2023. He added six tackles (five solo) in two postseason contests.
The undrafted rookie was busy right from the jump of his career, finishing the regular season with 690 snaps on defense and then logging another 58 plays during the Buccaneers' two postseason games. Izien frequently was deployed in the slot and held his own, allowing just a 51.3 completion percentage, 4.1 yards per attempt and zero touchdowns in primary coverage during the regular season. The Rutgers product is under contract for two additional years and could well see a similar workload in 2024.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Izien (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Texans, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Izien practiced Wednesday and Thursday before missing Friday's session. The rookie played on a season-high 62 defensive snaps in Week 8 versus the Bills.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Could miss Week 9 due to illness
Rotowire
Izien is dealing with an illness and has been deemed questionable to suit up Sunday in Houston.
Izien practiced as usual Wednesday and Thursday but was held out Friday after picking up an illness, making his status for Sunday uncertain. The rookie logged a season-high 91 percent of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps against Buffalo last Thursday, finishing with two tackles (one solo).
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Stellar tackling night Monday
Rotowire
Izien recorded eight tackles (six solo) in the Buccaneers' 25-11 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.
Izien logged 39 snaps overall while Carlton Davis (toe) missed a second straight game and Jamel Dean exited early with a shoulder injury. Izien recorded the best tackle total of his young career in the process, helping offset the fact he failed to get his hands on the ball for the first time as a pro after tallying a pair of interceptions in his first two contests. Even when the secondary is at full health, Izien should continue to enjoy a robust role considering his slot cornerback duties and ability to rotate in at safety if necessary.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: In concussion protocol
Rotowire
Izien (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus the Bears.
Izien will have to make a speedy recovery to have any chance to suit up for Week 2. If he can't go, 2022 fifth-rounder Zyon McCollum would likely be in line for more reps than usual.
