Jameis Winston out with shoulder injury for a ‘few weeks,’ Ryan Fitzpatrick takes over

Jameis Winston left Week 9’s matchup with the Saints with a shoulder injury. He did not return. Now, he’ll be out for a few more weeks.

Winston was replaced by backup Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday. It’s not the first time the journeyman passer has had to serve a relief role this season. Fitzpatrick played the bulk of a Week 6 loss to the Cardinals after a shoulder injury took Winston out of that game in the second quarter. The experienced backup put up some solid numbers -- 290 yards passing and three touchdowns — but also tossed a pair of interceptions, including a backbreaker at his own 1-yard line.

Fitzpatrick was fine on Sunday, completing 8 of 15 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Despite being out of the game, Winston still hurt the Buccaneers by picking a fight with Marshon Lattimore that caused Mike Evans to come flying in to his defense and pick up a 15-yard penalty.

The Bucs trailed 16-3 even before Winston’s injury, and eventually lost, 30-10. At 2-6, it’s been a disappointing season so far for a team that finished 9-7 a year ago. At this point, it’s a smart move to let Winston heal rather than risk him re-aggravating his shoulder injury again.