The Buccaneers and Steelers both trimmed their game-day rosters before Sunday’s Week 6 meeting at Raymond James Stadium, and each side is dealing with a mix of absences and returns as kickoff nears.
Tampa Bay will again be without Baker Mayfield, who is still working back from a right thumb injury. That leaves rookie Jalon Daniels in line for his third straight start after he helped the Buccaneers pick up their first win of the season last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Bucs are also down safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quad), and running back Sean Tucker (quad). Tucker was listed as questionable entering the weekend, but he did not get cleared in time for Sunday.
The good news for Tampa Bay is that linebacker SirVocea Dennis (ankle/foot) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (knee) are both active. Cornerback Ayden Garnes (ankle) is available as well after being questionable on Friday’s final injury report.
Pittsburgh will be missing wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf), who was ruled out Friday. The Steelers also have several depth players sidelined, including former Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
At the same time, Pittsburgh gets several important pieces back on the field. Tight end Pat Freiermuth (calf), cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and Jamel Dean (ankle), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (ankle), and running back Rico Dowdle (toe) are all active after carrying questionable tags into the weekend.
Here are the full inactive lists:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
CB Benjamin Morrison S Antoine Winfield Jr.
RB Sean Tucker G Luke Haggard
G Billy Schrauth DL DeMonte Capehart
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Will Howard (Emergency Third Quarterback)
QB Drew Allar WR Ben Skowronek
RB Eli Heidenreich CB Terell Smith
DT Kevin Jobity Jr. CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
The Buccaneers come into Sunday at 1-4 after beating Dallas last week, while the Steelers are 3-2 and looking for a second straight victory.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Suddenly Face New Depth Concerns Ahead Of Steelers Game
The Buccaneers had to lean on their practice squad for some late-week reinforcement before facing the Steelers, elevating quarterback Easton Stick and running back Josh Williams for Week 6. It is the kind of roster shuffle that usually signals more than just routine depth, especially for a team still trying to navigate the ripple effects of Baker Mayfields dislocated thumb and the uncertainty that comes with reshuffling the depth chart on short notice.
Stick gives Tampa Bay another arm behind rookie Jalon Daniels, while Williams adds insurance in the backfield as the Bucs wait to see how Sean Tucker responds to a quad injury. For a team heading into a tough matchup, those moves underscore how quickly one injury can turn into a broader depth test, with the next layer of questions still hanging over Sundays lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Face A Steelers Threat Tampa Bay Fans Should Note
Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire made it clear that Pittsburghs offensive identity is still very much a work in progress with Aaron Rodgers in the mix, and that makes Sundays matchup worth a closer look for Buccaneers fans. From Tampa Bays side, the biggest concern remains how the run game holds up behind Bucky Irving, because if the Steelers can control those early downs, it can change the whole shape of the afternoon.
Popejoy also pointed to one of the more interesting wrinkles in this meeting: special teams coordinator Danny Smith is now on Tampa Bays sideline after leaving Pittsburgh. His departure has become part of the conversation around the Steelers underwhelming special teams, and it adds another layer to a game that already has a few key matchups to watch. Popejoy leaned toward Pittsburgh in his final score prediction, so the Bucs will need cleaner execution in a hurry if they want to keep that forecast from coming true. [Read more 🡒]
Rueben Bain Jr. Addresses The Slow Start Buccaneers Fans Are Watching
Rueben Bain Jr. finally offered a little public perspective on the start Buccaneers fans have been watching, and it sounded like a young pass rusher trying to stay steady through the early bumps. The first-round pick has dealt with a slow opening stretch, spending time out of the lineup while working through shoulder and groin injuries, and his early production has been limited as he gets back into rhythm.
Even so, Bain said he feels optimistic about where things are heading and was encouraged to be part of Tampa Bays first win of the season. For a defense that counted on him to bring energy off the edge, the bigger picture remains the same: the Bucs need the version of Bain they envisioned when they made him a premium pick, and hes still trying to get there on his own timeline. [Read more 🡒]