Sammie

Stroughter

Stroughter injured his left foot on a kickoff return Sunday. Look for Preston Parker and Micheal Spurlock to fill in as depth at receiver and kick returners for the next month or so.

His return is a concern for fill-in slot receiver Preston Parker, who was already only about a 40-percent player on offense. Stroughter, who’s been out since Week 1, was previously the Bucs’ first-team slot man. While Parker has played well enough that he could conceivably run with the job, any threat to his already shaky playing time should be a worry for fantasy owners.

The blazing rookie out of Utah State averaged an eye-popping 31.7 yards on 10 preseason returns. Sammie Stroughter is listed ahead of Preston Parker as the No. 1 punt returner. Neither Smith nor Stroughter does enough on offense to warrant a draft selection in return-yardage leagues.

Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams are the starters, as expected. Preston Parker and Sammie Stroughter are running with the second team. Benn isn’t going to have a major role in the Bucs offense this season. Dynasty owners faced with a roster crunch should think about cutting ties with the 2010 second-rounder.

The injury played a part in Jordan Shipley’s re-signing. Stroughter was limited by a foot injury for a large chunk of 2011, and he could be headed to injured reserve if he’s staring at any sort of a prolonged absence.

The injury is a broken right foot. Stroughter had recently assumed slot receiver and punt returner duties from Preston Parker. Jordan Shipley, just re-signed, is expected to take over on punt returns. Coach Greg Schiano suggested that Arrelious Benn is in line for an expanded role, including a tryout in the slot. Stroughter is a free agent in 2013 and may not be back in Tampa.

The St. Petersburg Times speculates that Stroughter “could be out a while” after leaving the stadium in a boot and on crutches yesterday. Preston Parker and Micheal Spurlock are candidates to fill in on kick returns.

Stroughter remains out indefinitely following mid-September foot surgery. In the mean time, Preston Parker has taken the slot receiver job and run with it. Parker’s two best games have come against the zone defenses of the Colts and Vikings. We’re skeptical of his ability to maintain fantasy value on any kind of consistent basis.

Stroughter returned to practice this week. The Bucs will allow him to use the bye week to get back to full speed before throwing him back in. He’ll battle Preston Parker for slot duties in the second half of the season.

The slot is the correct fit for Stroughter. At 5'9/189 and lacking blazing straight ahead speed, trying to force the former seventh-round pick out wide would have been a disaster for Josh Freeman. Stroughter should be a third-down blanket for Freeman this season while working over the middle. Kellen Winslow will obviously ruin Stroughter’s appeal in fantasy leagues.