Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert dislocated his shoulder on his non-throwing arm during Friday’s 13-12 preseason win over the Browns, coach Bruce Arians said after the game.
"His shoulder popped out," Arians told reporters. "He was hurting pretty good, but (I told him), 'Good thing it's not your throwing shoulder. You'll be all right.' "
The injury happened in the third quarter when Gabbert replaced starter Jameis Winston, who had played the entire first half. Gabbert was scrambling on third-and-5 when Browns linebacker Adarius Taylor tried to tackle Gabbert, but the quarterback ended up landing awkwardly on his left arm. He immediately left the field with the team's training staff while holding his arm.
Blaine Gabbert appears to have suffered a shoulder injury pic.twitter.com/Yyuc2Sb0hd
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"It was tough (watching), but Blaine's a soldier," Winston said.
Tampa Bay's third-string quarterback Ryan Griffin stepped in after Gabbert left the game, completing 11 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a score.
"It was a great opportunity for Griff to step in and do a great job," Winston said. "He's been doing a great job this entire preseason."
Griffin is currently the only healthy backup on the Buccaneers' roster as rookie Nick Fitzgerald is recovering from a hamstring injury.
When Arians was asked if he's confident in Griffin as the team’s No. 2 quarterback, he said: “More than comfortable. He’s proven with some of the guys he’s playing with, directing them, poise. He’s moved our team up and down the field, just like he did again tonight.''
While it's not clear how long Gabbert will be out, Arians said the Buccaneers will look to add another quarterback before Thursday's preseason finale against the Cowboys.