Koetter says Bucs not distracted by Jameis Winston’s off-field issue

The Bucs are 1-0 since news broke last Friday of Jameis Winston being accused by an Uber driver of groping her during a ride in March of 2016.

That's really all the evidence coach Dirk Koetter needs to say the issue has not been a distraction to the team. Not yet, anyway.

"Well, so far so good. So far so good, that's all I can think to say about that," Koetter said.

In fact, Koetter can't say much about the situation involving Winston at all since the allegation is being investigated by the NFL. Koetter was asked Wednesday if he had anything to add to the discussion about Winston which might begin in Tampa Bay around some Thanksgiving Day dinners Thursday.

"No, because I can't talk about it," Koetter said. "That is in the hands of the NFL right now and we're cooperating with that investigation, to whatever extent that is, I don't even know. There's just nothing I can say about it right now. It's got to run its course and when it does, we'll have more to say at that time."

Koetter didn't learn about the allegation involving the Bucs starting quarterback until after practice last Friday. As for Winston, he's laying low and avoiding the media at One Buc Place. Doctors have not cleared him to begin throwing yet with his shoulder injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his third straight start for the Bucs Sunday at Atlanta. Koetter says the tests on Winston's shoulder shows it's getting better.

"Yeah, it's improving," Koetter said.