Who’s got it better than the Bucs? NOBODY…at least in the NFC South, that is.
Last week, Tampa won its third straight game with a 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. That triumph, paired with the Atlanta Falcons fourth straight loss, moved the Bucs into the No. 1 seed in the NFC South.
This week, though, Tampa will face its toughest test since returning from the bye week, matching up against Jim Harbaugh’s (8-5) Los Angeles Chargers.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs Injured on Both Sides?
All season long, the Bucs have struggled with injuries on both sides of the ball, and this week is no different.
The secondary has been shorthanded for the majority of the season, and after Antoine Winfield Jr. sustained a knee sprain, that trend will continue for multiple weeks.
Offensively, Tampa’s run game continued to look dominant, but who has the big game continues to be a surprise. Rookie phenom Bucky Irving went out of the game and is still dealing with hip and back injuries that could impact his ability to play this week. However, in his absence, Rachaad White looked like the more than-capable starter he was last season.
With that, here is the Bucs injury report after Wednesday:
G Ben Bredeson — shoulder — did not participate
LB K.J. Britt — ankle — did not participate
S Mike Edwards — hamstring — did not participate
WR Mike Evans — hamstring — did not participate
DL Greg Gaines — knee— limited participant
DL William Gholston — knee — full participant
DL Logan Hall — shoulder — full participant
DB Josh Hayes — hamstring — did not participate
RB Bucky Irving — hip/back — did not participate
S Christian Izien — groin — did not participate
WR Rakim Jarrett — finger — full participant
TE Ko Kieft — ankle — limited participant
LB J.J. Russell — hamstring — limited participant
WR Sterling Shepard — foot — did not participate
S Tykee Smith — knee — limited participant
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka — ankle — full participant
OLB Markees Watts — knee — full participant
S Antoine Winfield Jr. — knee — did not participate
LT Tristan Wirfs — foot/knee — did not participate
Chargers Injury Report
Chargers OLB Joey Bosa vs. Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Here is the Los Angeles Chargers injury report after Wednesday:
LB Joey Bosa — hip — did not participate
WR Derius Davis — hamstring — limited participant
TE Will Dissly — shoulder — did not participate
QB Justin Herbert — ankle/thigh — did not participate
S Tony Jefferson — hamstring — limited participant
OLB Khalil Mack — rest — did not participate
WR Ladd McConkey — knee/shoulder — limited participant
MLB Denzel Perryman — groin — limited participant
WR Jalen Reagor — finger — did not participate