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Bucs CB Had Knee Surgery, May Go On IR

Originally posted on PewterReport.com | By Nick Geddes | Last updated Aug 29, 2026 4:06 PM ET

The Bucs are thin at the cornerback position heading into the 2026 season. Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish are established starters outside, but second-year man Benjamin Morrison has battled a hamstring injury throughout training camp and just made his Bucs preseason debut in the 19-0 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday.

Rookie fourth-round selection Keionte Scott, the frontrunner to begin the season at nickel, suffered an ankle sprain in Jacksonville, according to head coach Todd Bowles.

You can go ahead and add Josh Hayes to the injured list. Per Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Hayes had a “minor procedure” on his knee that will sideline him for the start of the regular season. Auman added that Hayes is a “likely candidate” to go on injured reserve, and if he does, will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

Hayes, 27, has been a constant on special teams for the Bucs since entering the NFL in 2023 as a sixth-round pick out of Kansas State. His job has been safe since his rookie season, but that’s changed this offseason with the unexpected emergence of undrafted rookie free agent Ayden Garnes, as well as Damarion “Pepe” Williams, a member of Tampa Bay’s practice squad in 2025.

Josh Hayes Injury Clears Up Decisions For Bucs In Cornerback Room

Garnes is a candidate to see in-game action at outside cornerback this season, especially with Morrison just now getting back into form. Williams can do the same and has been impressive in training camp and in the preseason, though his ability to contribute on special teams is what had him neck and neck with Hayes for a spot on the 53-man roster. In fact, if not for the injury, Pewter Report projected Hayes missing out on the roster entirely in favor of Garnes and Williams.

It’s now become quite clear where this is all headed for the Bucs. Both Garnes and Williams will likely stick on the roster as, simply put, the Bucs trust both over Hayes in pass coverage in the event injuries force Tampa Bay to turn to its backups.

Williams did little, however, to inspire much confidence with his performance in punt coverage against the Jaguars, where he will see the bulk of his work if he’s an active participant on game day. With just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Williams had a chance to bring down Jacksonville return man Michael Wortham for a short gain after a 55-yard punt from Riley Dixon. Williams missed the tackle, Wortham ran across the field and down the right sideline, and returned Dixon’s punt 63 yards the other way for a touchdown.

Michael Wortham takes this 63-yard punt return TO THE HOUSE

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— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2026

Special teams is very much a work in progress for the Bucs. It was an issue in 2025 and it outright cost them some games, resulting in Tampa Bay missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2019.

The Bucs are banking on the influx of special teams coordinator Danny Smith and two-time Pro Bowler Miles Killebrew, along with the return of tight end Ko Kieft – if he makes the roster – being the recipe to turn special teams coverage into a strength. They’ll have to do it without Hayes for the first quarter of the regular season, and possibly beyond.

This article first appeared on Pewter Report and was syndicated with permission.

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