Report: Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston To Miss Season Opener vs Saints, Suspended 1st Three Games Of 2018

Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston won't be suiting up week 1 when Tampa Bay plays in New Orleans against the Saints.

Winston will be suspended the first 3 games of the 2018 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, according to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter.

The violation occurred in Arizona in 2016 when Winston allegedly groped an Uber driver.

An investigation by the NFL began last November after Buzzfeed released a story when the alleged victim claims Winston grabbed her crotch at 2 in the morning while going through a Mexican restaurant drive-thru.

Winston has denied the incident ever took place, and was never charged as no police report was filed. The victim did not inform police of the alleged groping, but filed a former complaint with Uber shortly after the alleged incident occurred.

Winston could possibly appeal once the suspension is announced.

If the suspension holds, Tampa Bay will likely start veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback when the regular season kicks off in September.

The Bucs first three games are at New Orleans, at home versus the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.