‘He Should Not Be Starting,’ ‘What Are We Doing?’ — Buccaneers Fans React to HC Todd Bowles Contradicting Rueben Bain Jr. Over Injury Status

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gotten off to a surprisingly poor start this season. After losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, they fell to the Cleveland Browns in their home opener in a dreadful performance. Now the Buccaneers sit 0-2, and plenty of panic is spreading among the fanbase.

The Buccaneers need to be better on both sides of the ball, but a few specific players have been called out for low production. One is rookie defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. While it usually takes rookies some time to get acclimated to the NFL, the team needs something from their first-round pick given how much they are struggling on defense.

Buccaneers Fans Critical of Rueben Bain Jr.'s Situation

Bain looked dominant during training camp, and that raised the level of expectation for the rookie in his first season. However, we have not seen the same player in the first two weeks. Bain insists he is not injured, but Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is not convinced.

JoeBucsFan.com reported that "Bain says the shoulder is not affecting his play, per Bowles. However, it sounded like Bowles is skeptical."

"I don't think he's completely healthy," Bowles said of Bain. "But at the same time, he's good enough to play. We've got to get more production there."

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Bowles' comments seem to contradict what the rookie believes about his health, and the team's fans were quick to react to it.

Joshua A. Martin said on X, "If Bain is not healthy, sit him down! He deserves to be out on the field healthy. He clearly isn't the same player as we seen during the preseason/training camp."

One fan wrote, "Then he should not be starting," in reference to Bowles saying Bain isn't fully healthy.

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Another fan added, "Currently looks like Walker is better at this point if Bain isn't healthy – WTF we doing here?!"

The Walker referenced is David Walker , the Bucs' fourth-round pick last season. In limited snaps, he recorded a sack against the Browns, and that is more than you can say for Bain.

Evan T on X had a similar response to Bain playing many more snaps than Walker. He said, "David Walker played like what — 3 snaps and had a sack? What are we doing???????"

It seems like Buccaneers fans are fed up with the defensive rotations to begin the season. Most of that is directed at Bowles, a defense-minded head coach who has the final say on who is on the field.

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Through two games, the Bucs are giving up 28 points per game, and their defense is ranked 15th on PFN's Defense Impact Metric . That won't cut it, especially for a team whose offense has struggled so far.

The Bucs have plenty of time to turn their season around, but they need more on both sides of the ball. Developing Bain and other rookies will also go a long way toward their being successful.

Naresh said on X, "My big worry is he is not gonna get properly developed because of this Coaching Staff."

Bowles may find himself on the hot seat if he does not turn things around fast. Buccaneers fans aren't used to being uncompetitive, and that is the path they are currently on.