Bucs' Starting Center Non-Participant in Wednesday Practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be down a crucial player against the New Orleans Saints.

Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Graham Barton (62) hikes the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have had 10 days of rest before they face off against the New Orleans Saints in a bid to go 4-2, and when they do, they'll likely have some injured players back in the fold. However, there's another big name who didn't participate that fans may want to keep an eye on.

Tampa Bay released its injury report on Wednesday after settling down in New Orleans as Hurricane Milton is soon to strike the west coast of Florida, and there are some encouraging status updates. Perhaps the biggest is from defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who is a full participant in practice for the first time this year.

The other two players the Bucs will want back are Antoine Winfield Jr. and Luke Goedeke, the former dealing with a foot injury and the latter still in concussion protocol. Winfield was limited in today's practice and Goedeke was a full participant, so that's a very encouraging sign that they could end up playing in New Orleans.

Graham Barton, Christian Izien and Trey Palmer do not participate on Wednesday in Bucs practice: pic.twitter.com/1bI4lfFn8U

— River Wells (@riverhwells) October 9, 2024

READ MORE: Bucs Ready for 'Playoff Atmosphere' vs. Saints

However, that encouragement comes with some unfortunate news elsewhere. Starting center Graham Barton, who the Bucs drafted in the first round this year, did not participate due to a hamstring injury. His absence would weaken the entirety of the offensive line, so it will be noteworthy to see how he progresses this week. Safety Christian Izien also did not participate with an elbow and groin injury and wideout Trey Palmer did not participate with a concussion.

Safety Jordan Whitehead (Groin) and RB Rachaad White (foot) were also limited participants.

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