Winston: ‘I’m really nobody’ in NFL so far
TAMPA — Humility can be hard to find for a No. 1 overall draft pick, but Bucs rookie QB Jameis Winston said that he understands that he isn’t yet the kind of NFL quarterback that defenses have to game-plan to stop as he was in college.
“I’m really nobody in this league yet, so they don’t have to worry about me,” Winston said as the Bucs prepare for Sunday’s game at the Redskins. “I have great teammates that do a great job and we have a great team. That’s what I think the biggest thing about this league is: You have complete-team wins. ... I think this game is just a completeteam game whereas in college one person basically can take over the game.”
With seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions in his first five games, Winston ranks 30th among NFL quarterbacks in QB rating, one spot ahead of his opponent this week, the Redskins’ Kirk Cousins. Winston, who has been able to limit his turnovers in the Bucs’ two wins this season, said he’s already learned “the ultimate lesson” in not turning the ball over. He looks forward to developing into the kind of passer who can take over games and lead his team to victory, even if he’s not there yet.
“Hopefully one day I can, but for right now, I’m just trying to get better every year and trying to get some wins under my belt,” he said. “I’m just trying to do my role, play my part.”
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he’s followed Winston’s career since his days at Florida State and sees the progress he’s already making as a young NFL quarterback.
“He’s an exciting player,” Gruden said. “Sometimes he makes some mistakes, as all quarterbacks do, but he’ll make the big play for you also. ... He’s learning the ropes right now. ... What helps him out is a strong running game and that’s what I can’t stress enough about our team ... to help the quarterback out through those early stages of their career by having some balance and having a good running game. That’s what they’re trying to do in Tampa, and that’s what we need to do also here for us to have a chance.”
Mankins practices
Another day, another key starter back at practice Thursday as left guard Logan Mankins, who missed the Bucs’ last game with a groin injury, practiced for the first time in two weeks.
Mankins returning to practice is an encouraging sign for his chances to play Sunday at Washington, and backup linebacker Bruce Carter, who had missed Wednesday’s practice with a thigh injury, was also back practicing Thursday.
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins remains out with a shoulder injury, increasing the odds that he’ll miss a fourth straight game, and backup DT Tony McDaniel was held out with a groin injury.
Backup tackle Reid Fragel, who suffered a head injury at Wednesday’s practice, was not in attendance Thursday. If he is under concussion protocol, he’s unlikely to play Sunday, though if Mankins is healthy that would allow Kevin Pamphile to move back into his role as backup at both tackle spots.
McDaniel’s injury could make it more likely that the Bucs would activate Akeem Spence from the physically unable to perform list.