That is how dire the damage state of affairs has develop into for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: As a substitute of holding a daily apply Wednesday, they had been pressured right into a walk-through as an alternative.
“We most likely had extra those that could not apply than may apply,” mentioned coach Todd Bowles.
The NFC South-leading Buccaneers (3-1), coming off their first lack of the season to defending Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia, will make a cross-country journey to face the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) on Sunday afternoon. Each groups are celebrating the fiftieth anniversaries of their 1976 enlargement seasons and can put on throwback uniforms.
Who can be out there to play for the Bucs stays to be seen.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee/biceps) was amongst 9 Bucs who did not take part in apply on Wednesday. That listing additionally included operating again Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and huge receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Sterling Shepherd (foot). On protection, nostril deal with Greg Gaines (pectoral) and defensive backs Jamel Dean (hip), Christian Izien (quad), Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and Tykee Smith (ankle) all sat out.
In all there are 16 gamers listed on Tampa Bay’s damage report this week.
“I imply (we had a) good walk-through tempo,” Mayfield mentioned. “However yeah, I feel guys are conscious, they obtained the message. They perceive what we’re attempting to get performed. Particularly in an surroundings that we will be getting into. So, it is clear and concise and the fellows get it.”
Mayfield rallied the Bucs to victories in every of the primary three weeks of the season, however they could not overcome a three-touchdown deficit in opposition to the Eagles in falling 31-25.
“You are not going to beat the Tremendous Bowl champs turning the ball over thrice,” Bowles mentioned, together with a blocked punt in his group’s turnover complete. “The struggle, we will have it each week. However you may’t get behind the eight-ball, down 14-0 (eight minutes into the sport) and count on to win. We have to wash up the errors.”
The Seahawks have received three straight since a season-opening loss at house to San Francisco to maneuver right into a tie atop the NFC West. They defeated host Arizona 23-20 final Thursday with Jason Myers kicking a 52-yard subject purpose as time expired after they blew a 14-point lead within the fourth quarter.
Sam Darnold threw for 242 yards and a landing for Seattle. Signed within the offseason, he has 905 yards passing with 5 touchdowns and a 70% completion price.
“I feel it is his decisiveness on how he is taking part in,” mentioned Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald. “He is staying true to his reads and he is rocking it when it is there and when it is not, he is progressing after which checking it down or utilizing his legs, and that is what we’re asking him to do. And I feel he is doing it clearly at a very excessive degree proper now.”
Darnold and Mayfield have some historical past, as they had been among the many prime picks within the 2018 draft. Mayfield went No. 1 to Cleveland and Darnold was the No. 3 choice by the New York Jets. Each bounced round and even performed collectively on the Carolina Panthers through the 2022 season earlier than lastly discovering houses within the NFL.
The Seahawks may very well be with out defensive finish Demarcus Lawrence, who suffered a quad damage early in final week’s victory. Offensive deal with Josh Jones (ankle), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) and security Julian Love (hamstring) additionally missed apply Wednesday.
–Subject Stage Media
