There’s obvious motivation for Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis to get back for the opener, since it’s against his old team, the Jets.
But the Bucs are being careful with his rehab from last year’s knee surgery, and they’re encouraged their prize acquisition should be fine.
Bucs General Manager Mark Dominik told Peter King of TheMMQB.com that he was “almost certain” Revis would be able to go in five weeks.
Revis himself tapped the brakes lightly, which is probably a defense mechanism as much as anything.
“At this time,’’ Revis said, “I can’t tell you. But it is my goal to be ready for the first game, and it’s coming along well.’’
Revis hasn’t had any setbacks as he’s worked gradually back into action, and they’re going to hold him out of at least the first two preseason games, if not the entire exhibition slate. There’s no point in risking him then, really, considering what the Bucs invested in him.