Bucs’ Dean injures knees, ruled out vs. Panthers

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting cornerback Jamel Dean was ruled out after suffering a knee injury just before halftime of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Dean was originally ruled as questionable to return before being downgraded. He was replaced by second-year cornerback Josh Hayes.

Dean had already spent four weeks on injured reserve this season with a hamstring injury — one of several injuries suffered by members of the Bucs’ secondary. The team is already without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. but did get fellow starting safety Jordan Whitehead back Sunday from a torn pectoral injury.