The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 9-3 with Sunday's 30-17 win at the Atlanta Falcons, but head coach Bruce Arians was seen walking with a bit of a limp following the game.
We now know what's ailing him.
Per Greg Auman of The Athletic, Arians confirmed when speaking with reporters Monday that he's dealing with an inflamed Achilles tendon he suffered while running to work out:
#Bucs coach Bruce Arians says he is dealing with an inflamed Achilles tendon, which he suffered while running to try to stay in shape.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 6, 2021
As you can see from this video after the #Falcons game ended, he's walking gingerly.
Says he's not feeling very well dealing with it. pic.twitter.com/O6EH2Ft1Td
The reigning Super Bowl champion coach isn't expected to miss any time despite the humorous idea that the Buccaneers could rest him so he's ready for the playoffs:
He's usually pretty good about toughing through whatever he's dealing with.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 6, 2021
The Buccaneers haven't always been so honest about injury setbacks during Arians' tenure. Some may remember that seven-time champion quarterback Tom Brady surprised many earlier this year by admitting he played through the 2020 season with what has been said to be a fully torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee after he never appeared on the injury report with a knee-related problem.
Unlike with players, coaches don't have to divulge exact natures of such issues. Jokes aside, the hope is Arians won't encounter any problems regarding the Achilles that will prevent him from coaching from the sidelines for must-win postseason matchups.
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