TAMPA, Fla. — The last time Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup safety/nickelback Christian Izien lined up at outside cornerback was his sophomore year at Erasmus Hall High School In Flatbush, New York, in 2015. But in the Bucs’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the Bucs lost three of four active cornerbacks to injury — including Bryce Hall being carted off the field — forcing Izien into a precarious position.
“It wasn’t on my bucket list today,” said Izien, who lined up opposite starter Jamel Dean , the lone healthy cornerback by the second half. “There wasn’t a chance in hell that I’d ever step out at outside corner, but the team needed me so that’s what had to be done.”
He hadn’t even taken a practice snap at the position, having spent this offseason learning the safety role after starting last season at nickelback.
“He had not lined up at cornerback one day in training camp but he plays nickel, so nickel and corner have the jobs on certain things,” coach Todd Bowles said, adding, “He is smart enough and he is feisty enough and tough enough that if you put him out there, he’s going to make some plays.”