As Pompei points out, Dean’s $15.2 million cap hit ranks as the eighth-highest among all corners for next season. His production has never been that of a top corner, and now it may cost him a job in 2025. Dean’s release would free up $11.2 million in cap space for the Bucs, who currently have just north of $2.2 million in available cap heading into next season. Dean earned a 74.9 PFF coverage grade last season while picking off one pass and breaking up five more. He’ll turn 29 next season and could still have a solid market if he and the Bucs were to part ways in the coming weeks.

Dean was dealing with a knee injury coming into this game after missing Week 18. He seemed to aggravate the injury late in the third quarter while in coverage. It would be a major blow for the Bucs’ defense if he were to miss the remainder of the game. Dean has been in primary coverage on Terry McLaurin during this game and broke up a touchdown earlier in the third quarter.

Dean injured both of his knees in the Bucs’ eventual win over the Panthers and was quickly ruled out. The veteran safety has appeared in 11 games this year and has six pass breakups plus one interception. With Antoine Winfield Jr. also out for this game, the Bucs’ secondary is taking on water as the playoffs approach.

Dean was a healthy participant on Wednesday before worryingly showing up with “knees” in the injury column on Thursday. We need more information to concretely project him to miss Week 17 but the development is certainly a net negative. The Panthers’ passing attack would have a far easier time moving the ball downfield if the Buccaneers’ No. 1 CB is sidelined.