The Buccaneers and Falcons both opened Week 8 with a long list of names on the injury report, and Tampa Bay’s first update came with a mix of concern and relief.
For the Buccaneers, running back Kenny Gainwell, offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and linebacker Josiah Trotter did not practice Wednesday. Gainwell is dealing with a hip injury, Goedeke with a calf issue and Trotter with an illness.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was limited as he continues to work through concussion and foot injuries, while outside linebacker Yaya Diaby was also limited because of an illness.
Tampa Bay did get a pair of encouraging signs. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. were full participants. Mayfield is managing a right thumb injury and was back in action in last week’s 43-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, while Winfield’s full workload is another positive for the Buccaneers’ defense.
Atlanta’s first report was just as busy. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr., linebacker Divine Deablo and running back Brian Robinson all sat out practice, with Bowman dealing with a hamstring injury, Deablo with a forearm issue and Robinson with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith was also out for rest.
The Falcons listed six players as limited participants: defensive end Samson Ebukam, defensive linemen LaCale London and Charles Snowden, offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, cornerback Avieon Terrell and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. Ebukam is working through a hamstring injury, London has a chest issue, Snowden is dealing with a back injury, Taylor has a hamstring injury, Terrell is limited by illness and Zaccheaus has a shoulder injury.
Wide receiver Beaux Collins and offensive tackle Cameron Williams were full participants. Collins is dealing with a hip injury, while Williams is limited by an ankle injury.
Both teams will keep working through the week, with Thursday’s practice set to offer another look before Friday’s final injury designations.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Pulled Off A Rare Panthers Play Fans Had Never Seen
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The sequence stood out even more because it was a first in franchise history, with the Bucs cashing in on a blocked extra-point return in a way fans had never seen before. For a team that has leaned on defense and field position in plenty of big moments, it was another reminder that sometimes the smallest play on the scoreboard can have the biggest impact. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Just Gave Buccaneers Fans A Bigger Coaching Debate
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Todd Bowles is among the names being discussed in the latest hot-seat chatter, a reflection of how quickly the temperature can rise when results start to slip. For the Buccaneers, the concern is not just about one rough stretch but about whether the organization believes the direction is still pointing the right way, and whether the coming weeks will settle the debate or make it louder. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision Fans Never Wanted
At 2-5, the Buccaneers have reached the kind of crossroads no contender wants to face in October. The passing game has been uneven, some of the rosters core players are getting older, and yet the NFC South is still open enough that a quick turnaround would keep Tampa Bay in the mix, even if the team is still chasing the division leader.
That is what makes the trade deadline conversation so uncomfortable around One Buccaneer Place. The Colts have already shown how far a team can go in rethinking its direction with midseason moves, and the Bucs are now weighing whether they should resist that kind of sell-off or at least consider it if the next stretch goes badly. For a team built to expect more than a rebuilding discussion, even having that debate is its own warning sign. [Read more 🡒]