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Jameis Winston dealing with ankle injury; expected to be fine for Week 1

Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has a sprained ankle, but the injury is not expected to keep him out of the season opener, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said Monday.

Winston injured his ankle in the Bucs' second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 24. He was still able to play Saturday, though, finishing 6-for-15 passing for 90 yards.

"It's affecting him a little bit. But he'll be ready to go," Koetter said, according to ESPN's Pat Yasinskas. "He'll be full speed by Tennessee (in the regular-season opener). It's not anything he can't play on. Even in practice, Jameis, you can't keep him out.

"(Quarterbacks coach) Mike (Bajakian) is trying to slow the drills down on the side field and Jameis won't come out. We'll get him healthy. He's got a sprained ankle. If you've ever had one and you have to move around and cut, it can be painful."

Winston said he isn't bothered by the pain.

"Pain is temporary," he said. "I really don't focus on that at all. I played last year at Florida State with a sprained ankle. That's the least of my worries. My job is to go out there and play quarterback and fight for the team."

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