The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will sit wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David, and quarterback Baker Mayfield after strong performances in the joint practice against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Todd Bowles said.
Originally, Bowles had just ruled out Evans and David, but after watching back the film of the joint practice, Bowles told reporters he thought Mayfield played so well there was no need for the starting quarterback to play.
Mayfield did not play in the team’s first preseason game, either. Multiple players, including wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, said Mayfield and Evans were ‘sharp’ against the Steelers’ veteran secondary.
As a result, the Steelers will still see a lot of the Buccaneers starters, but not their quarterback, top wide receiver, or elite linebacker. It will be a bit lighter than their matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago.
Outside of those three, the rest of the starters are expected to play. Star wide receiver Chris Godwin and offensive tackle Tristan Wires are hurt, so they will not play, either. The Steelers will trot out mostly backups, opting to sit their starters for the second straight week.
Head coach Mike Tomlin did not say if he would play his starters against the Carolina Panthers next week on a short week.
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