Jameis Winston on sideline in second half after hard hits by Saints

ByJENNA LAINE
November 5, 2017, 3:45 PM

— -- NEW ORLEANS -- After several tough hits in the first half against the Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston left the game with a shoulder injury and is questionable to return.

Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick started the second half for Winston.

Winston suffered a sprained AC joint in the shoulder of his right throwing arm three weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals. He was sacked twice in the first half -- by defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor -- and was hit four times, with the Bucs' offensive line struggling in protection.

Defensive end? William Gholston, meanwhile, suffered a neck injury in the third quarter and will not return.

Gholston was loaded onto a stretcher, carted off the field and taken to the hospital after being on the ground for several minutes.

Starting left tackle Donovan Smith also left the game with a knee injury and is questionable to return. He has been replaced by Kevin Pamphile.

Winston completed 7-of-13 passes for 63 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Fitzpatrick stepped in for Winston against the Cardinals, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Before this week, Winston had only thrown one day a week because of the injury. This was the first week since the injury that he was throwing all three days, with Winston believing the injury was getting better. AC joint injuries, however, are caused by and can become aggravated by contact, such as a sudden blow from a hit.