Injured Bucs Return To Practice

The Bucks returned from their bye week for Monday’s bonus practice and brought some great news – and it wasn’t just that. It’s Creamsicle Week. The Bucks, who wore Bucco Bruce’s helmets in practice, had many of the players injured last week return to play.

Which Bucks have returned to practice?

It’s not necessarily ideal to make Week 5 a bye week, but it may have come at the right time for the Bucks, who have had to shuffle their deck at multiple positions due to the absence of key players. That’s why I was so excited to see rookie first-round pick Kariyah Kansi practice for the first time since leaving the Bucks’ Week 1 game.

Bucks DT Kariyah Kansi – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

In the game against the Vikings, Cuncey re-aggravated his calf injury, forcing him to miss almost all of training camp. He played 11 snaps before being ejected in the Bucks’ first game, and his emergence has energized the defensive line. Led by Vita Vea, the Bucks used a rotation of Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, and Mike Green, with Will Goulston also playing some minutes.

Also in attendance was fellow rookie Sarvosia Dennis, a teammate of Cunce’s from Pittsburgh. He had not played since Week 1 due to a hamstring injury.

The Bucs seem to be getting better in the secondary as well.Jamel Dean absent Tampa Bay Week 4 Game He missed the game against the Saints due to shoulder and neck injuries, but practiced at corner next to running mate Carlton Davis. Davis missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a toe injury, but the defenseman returned just last week. Davis didn’t play much against the Saints, but knowing he would have a week off afterward helped him get through it.

Tampa Bay wants to have its two top corners playing at the same time, and they’re getting great production from second-year cornerback Zion McCollum. An argument could be made that McCollum has been the best at the position so far this season. He made a huge leap forward in his development as a player in his second year.

Safety Ryan Neal left the Bucs’ final game in the first quarter with a concussion. He was warming up with the whole group without any restrictions, so he looks like he’ll be ready this week.

Bucks WR Mike Evans status

Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo courtesy of USA Today

Of course, the final piece of this injury puzzle is the status of star receiver Mike Evans. Evans was forced to leave the game in the second quarter against the Saints with a hamstring injury and did not return. On Monday, Evans showed up to practice a little late after the Bucs began working on special teams drills. He did not wear a uniform or pads, but worked out individually, doing light runs with a trainer.

Evans takes pride in playing through his injuries and getting as many appearances as possible. He seemed pretty energetic at practice, laughing and joking with his teammates and trainers before starting warmups.

We won’t get an injury report until later in the week on Wednesday, but I would be surprised considering he has the opportunity to wear a Creamsicle jersey for the first time in his career and is hoping to play well for a new contract. If I don’t play this week.