Winfield Jr. is dealing with an ankle injury and won't be able to play in the NFC title game. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield Jr. ruled out for NFC Championship Game

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/24/21

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be a little shorthanded on defense when they take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The Bucs announced that Antoine Winfield Jr. will be inactive for Sunday's game. According to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports, Winfield Jr. is dealing with an ankle injury.

The #Bucs playmaking Safety Antoine Winfield is unlikely to play, per @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/hrbJSn4oH3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 24, 2021

Winfield Jr., the Bucs' 2020 second-round pick, has 11 solo tackles, two tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery in Tampa's two playoff games.

The Minnesota product started all 16 regular-season games, recording one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three sacks, 64 solo tackles, one tackle for a loss and four quarterback hits.

Tampa Bay will also be without wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90.

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