Buccaneers Injury Update: Four Offensive Starters Sit Out Wednesday Practice

Our weekly look at the health and game availability for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

David Harrison | Sep 21, 2022

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The undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to come into their home opener against the Green Bay Packers short-handed.

Stemming from a fight with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in Week 2, wide receiver Mike Evans has been suspended - which was upheld upon appeal - and will miss Sunday's afternoon bout with quarterback Aaron Rodgers' 1-1 Packers.

But Evans may not be the only player missing this Sunday as no fewer than four offensive starters missed practice on Wednesday, the first day of official practice reports for Week 3.

Wednesday, September 21 Buccaneers Practice Report

Did Not Practice (DNP)

WR Chris Godwin (hamstring)

DT Akiem Hicks (foot)

WR Julio Jones (knee)

TE Cade Otton (personal)

LT Donovan Smith (elbow)

Limited

RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring)

WR Russell Gage (hamstring)

C Robert Hainsey (knee)

WR Scotty Miller (calf)

WR Breshad Perriman (knee)

Full Participant

CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring)

Seeing McCollum listed as a full participant is encouraging as it lends hope to his making his NFL debut this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Bucs continue to see a long line of receivers populating the injury report, explaining the recent signing of Cole Beasley and potential practice squad elevation this weekend.

Wednesday, September 21 Packers Practice Report

Did Not Participate

OT David Bakhtiari (knee)

WR Randall Cobb (illness)

Limited Participant

OL Elgton Jenkins (knee)

WR Allen Lazard (ankle)

TE Mercedes Lewis (groin)

WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring)

WR Christian Watson (hamstring)

Full Participant

None

If Rodgers and the Packers are forced to play without Bakhtiari in Week 3, it'll certainly complicate a matchup that already figures to see Tampa Bay pressure the quarterback as often as possible trying to take advantage of quick and unscripted throws.

Green Bay's young receiver corps hasn't been firing on all cylinders to start the season, and Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles' defense has been more than ready to take advantage of opponents playing out of sync.

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Published Sep 21, 2022

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.