Keep informed with our daily updates: News, notes and more throughout the month of October

Scott Smith

Vita Vea

#50

NT

• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 347 lbs
• College: Washington

October 24 Updates

Vita Vea, the Buccaneers' road-grading nose tackle, wasn't on the injury report to start Week Eight but he is now a question mark after the team's final practice leading up to Sunday's game in New Orleans.

Vea didn't practice on Thursday or Friday due to a foot ailment, something he has dealt with several other times during the 2025 season. Vea has yet to miss a game, but his status is currently in some doubt in Week Eight.

"He didn't practice today," Head Coach Todd Bowles said after Friday's practice. "He'll be questionable Sunday."

Asked if he still felt "okay" about Vea's status, Bowles replied: "So far, yes."

Bowles did identify four players who will definitely be listed as out on Friday's injury report, which will be released later on Friday afternoon and will include game-status designations. Those four are wide receiver Chris Godwin, outside linebacker Haason Reddick, guard Luke Haggard and running back Bucky Irving.

Rookie running back Josh Williams has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will be available on Sunday after missing the last two games. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was on the injury report with the injury designation of "teeth," but he was back in action on Friday.

for a detailed preview of Sunday's Bucs-Saints tilt at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Baker Mayfield

#6

QB

• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 215 lbs
• College: Oklahoma

October 23 Updates

Baker Mayfield's gait in his walk to the podium on Wednesday afternoon was noticeably more comfortable than what the assembled media witnessed on a similar walk to his postgame press conference on Monday night, a fact that he acknowledged. Still, he was deemed to be limited in the Buccaneers' walk-through on Wednesday morning due to a knee injury. At various points in the still-young 2025 season, Mayfield has also had to work through foot, toe and biceps ailments, though he has made every start through seven weeks.

Thus it was a positive development on Thursday when Mayfield was a full participant in a more robust practice. The Buccaneers are working on a short week after a Monday night game in Detroit and will hit the road again on Saturday ahead of Sunday's game in New Orleans. Though that provides the players a bit less time to recover, Mayfield thinks it might be a good thing that his team will be back in action as soon as possible after a tough loss to the Lions.

"[I]f you lose, you want to get out there quicker rather than later to get it out of your system," he said. "Especially when you have a group like we have, they understand what we have to do to get the job done to find wins. Our guys will handle it the right way, heal up as quick as we can and go from there."

Mayfield's backup, Teddy Bridgewater, remained out for a second day in a row, with his injury listed as "teeth." In addition to Mayfield's progression, the Buccaneers also got limited work in with six players who were non-participants on Wednesday: linebacker Lavonte David, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive lineman Greg Gains, guard Luke Haggard and safeties Christian Izien and Antoine Winfield Jr.

for a look at the Bucs' entire Thursday injury report, which lists a total of 18 players.

Haason Reddick

#5

OLB

• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 240 lbs
• College: Temple

October 22 Updates

In the addition to the loss of wide receiver Mike Evans to a broken clavicle that pushed him to injured reserve, another starter for the Buccaneers was added to the team's growing injury list. Outside linebacker Haason Reddick suffered ankle and knee injuries in Monday's game in Detroit and, while the team was still awaiting MRI results as of Wednesday afternoon, is expected to miss some playing time, Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed after practice.

In his first season with the Buccaneers after signing in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Reddick started each of the first seven contests of the season and had logged the most defensive snaps (339) of any of the team's outside linebackers. His absence should trigger more playing time for Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell, and that adjustment will have further repercussions on the team's roster and game day lineups. Nelson had been playing every special teams snap for the Bucs in recent weeks but should have that load lightened as he picks up more time on defense.

"We've got guys on the practice squad that we need to bring up for special teams when Nelly's load is going to increase," said Bowles. "Obviously, Bras's role is going to increase as well. So, the guys on the practice squad have to step up and fill in [special] teams-wise while Nelly plays more defense."

Nelson recorded his first sack of the season in Detroit on Monday night and has 19.5 sacks in his seven-year career. Braswell, in his second season after being drafted in the second round in 2024, had 1.5 sacks as a rookie and is still looking for his first in 2025.

"He's got to get more reps," said Bowles of Braswell. "From a mental standpoint, I think when he just pins his ears back and lets it go, he looks like the Bras that we know."

for more of Coach Bowles' thoughts after practice on Wednesday.

Emeka Egbuka

#2

WR

• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 205 lbs
• College: Ohio State

October 18 Updates

Emuka Egbuka, who stormed out of the gates with one of the best starts to a rookie receiver campaign in recent memory but suffered a hamstring injury in last Sunday's win over San Francisco, has a chance to play on Monday night in Detroit.

Egbuka returned to practice on Saturday after sitting out the first two workouts of the week, albeit not in a full capacity.

"He was limited today," said Head Coach Todd Bowles immediately after practice. "He'll be a game-time decision on Monday."

Given that assessment, Egbuka is likely to be listed as "questionable" on the Bucs' final injury report of Week Seven, which will be released on Saturday afternoon. The standout rookie, who leads the team with 27 receptions for 469 yards and five touchdowns, is motivated to get back into the mix.

"It's possible; it's not definite," said Bowles of Egbuka suiting up against the Lions. "Again, this is going to go all the way up until game time. He wants to play, but that depends on how he feels and how he looks."

Wide receiver Mike Evans, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury of his own, also participated in practice on Saturday. Bowles said the four players who he can definitively rule out for Monday night are wide receiver Chris Godwin, running backs Bucky Irving and Josh Williams and guard Luke Haggard.

for a tale of the tape between the 5-1 Buccaneers and the 4-2 Lions.

Mike Evans

#13

WR

• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 231 lbs
• College: Texas A&M

October 16 Updates

Wide receiver Mike Evans has missed the Buccaneers' last three games due to a hamstring injury sufffered late in the team's Week Three win over the New York Jets. Since then, the Bucs' health woes at the receiver position have only grown, with Chris Godwin sustaining a fibula injury in Week Five and Emeka Egbuka going down with a hamstring strain this past Sunday against San Francisco.

As such, it was a boost for the Buccaneers to see Evans, the franchise's all-time leader in virtually every receiving category, return to the practice field on Thursday. The Buccaneers are preparing for a critical Monday night showdown in Detroit in Week Seven and Thursday's practice was their first one of the week.

"He was limited," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "He did some things obviously, he did some things very well. We've just got to monitor it throughout the week. But, just to see him in a helmet right now, coming out there in the jersey and doing some of the things that he's doing, is very encouraging for us."

With Godwin not expected to play on Monday and Egbuka a serious question mark he did not practice on Thursday the availability of Evans is a serious matter for the Buccaneers this week. Young players like Tez Johnson and Kam Johnson have stepped up in his absence, but those pass-catchers will have even better opportunities to produce if Evans is on the field with them.

"He draws a double team," said Bowles. "It helps the run game, number one, because it keeps a safety out of the box, plus another corner out of the box. Obviously, he's our go-to guy when he is healthy. Because of his size, his height, his intelligence to adjust off of routes and everything else every little thing he does causes a problem for the other team and it makes our other guys better."

Quarterback Baker Mayfield echoed that it was "nice to see" Evans back in action and that the 12th-year receiver is a "good safety blanket" for him and the Bucs' offense.

"Obviously, Mike draws a lot of attention,"said Mayfield. "You have to expect that and then for our coaching staff -- which they have done a great job -- how to get him isolated in one-on-one situations, how to get him the rock and we have to take advantage of those opportunities. Also, understanding the other side of it, is when he does draw a lot of attention, guys have to step up and do their jobs at a high level. There are a lot more pros that come with it than cons. He gets double-teamed every once in a while, but that is just an opportunity for somebody else to step up."

for more thoughts from Coach Bowles on the upcoming game in Detroit and the state of the Bucs' roster.

October 14 Updates

The Buccaneers have made a switch on their 17-man practice squad, signing first-year running back Michael Wiley and releasing rookie tight end Caden Prieskorn. Wiley was most recently on the Kansas City Chiefs' training camp roster.

The Buccaneers remain short-handed in their backfield with starter Bucky Irving not expected to practice this week due to his foot and shoulder injuries and rookie back Josh Williams potentially remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol. The team has three other healthy backs in Rachaad White, Sean Tucker and Owen Wright.

Wiley, who played his college ball at Arizona, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Commanders in 2024. He spent all of his rookie season on Washington's practice squad, then was waived with a non-football injury this past July. He later signed with the Chiefs in mid-August and appeared in one preseason game, running one time for three yards. Wiley played five seasons at Arizona and amassed 1,712 yards and 16 touchdowns on 336 carries (5.1-yard average) while adding 123 receptions for 1,150 yards and 12 more scores in a total of 49 games.

Prieskorn spent three weeks on the Bucs' practice squad after signing with the team on September 23. He had entered the league in May as an undrafted free agent with the Lions out of Ole Miss and had later gone to training camp with the Broncos.

for a rundown of the Buccaneers' roster moves this season.

Mike Evans

#13

WR

• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 231 lbs
• College: Texas A&M

October 13 Updates

The Buccaneers began their Week Six contest against San Francisco with wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan all sidelined by injuries. They then played the second half of the game without the upstart rookie, Emeka Egbuka, who has been keeping the passing attack in gear. On Monday following the Buccaneers' 30-19 win over the 49ers, Head Coach Todd Bowles said that Egbuka was scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of his hamstring injury and that the rookie's status for the upcoming Monday night contest in Detroit is not yet determined.

If the Bucs' revolving door at wide receiver rotates Egbuka out of action on Monday, it might also deliver one very big reinforcement back to the field. Bowles mentioned Evans as one of a handful of injured Buccaneers who are hoping to return to the practice field this week, which, pending how that goes, could put them in play against Detroit.

We hope to see Mike or Zyon [McCollum] and [Benjamin] Morrison do something this week," said Bowles, mentioning Evans along with a pair of cornerbacks who have missed time. "Then we'll see how much they do to determine if they can play and what they can do."

Bowles later added guard Michael Jordan to that list of players potentially returning to action, though he also said he was not expecting Godwin or running back Bucky Irving to practice this week.

Evans has missed three games since suffering a hamstring injury near the end of the Buccaneers' Week Three win over the Jets. Had 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in the first three games of the season. McCollum was sidelined this past week after having a procedure done on his thumb but was not expected to miss extended time. Morrison hasn't played since Week Four due to a hamstring issue.

for highlights from the Buccaneers' win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Josh Williams

#18

RB

• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 210 lbs
• College: LSU

October 10 Updates

The Buccaneers won't release their final Week Six injury report, which includes game status designations, until later on Friday afternoon, but Head Coach Todd Bowles was able to definitively rule out six players at the conclusion of practice. When the Buccaneers play the 49ers on Sunday in a battle of 4-1 teams, they will be without wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, running backs Bucky Irving and Josh Williams and cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison.

Evans, Irving and Morrison are dealing with injuries that have already kept them out for multiple weeks. McCollum had a medical procedure on his thumb at the beginning of the week and has not practiced. That left Godwin as the team's biggest question mark in Week Six, and Williams was just added to the injury list on Friday.

Godwin has played two games since returning from the ankle injury that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign, but a new injury to his fibula has him in what Bowles described as "week to week" status. As for Williams, he has entered the concussion protocol after being injured in practice on Thursday. Williams had been evaluated for a potential concussion during the win in Seattle in Week Five but was cleared to return to play.

Bowles said the Buccaneers would consider elevating running back Owen Wright, who was just added to the practice squad on Wednesday in order to have three healthy running backs against San Francisco. Elevating a receiver will also be in consideration; currently, the Bucs have two receivers on their practice squad in Garrett Greene and Dennis Houston.

for a look at this week's injury report, which will be updated on Friday afternoon.

Zyon McCollum

#27

CB

• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 199 lbs
• College: Sam Houston State

October 8 Updates

An injury suffered in Week Four may make Buccaneers starting cornerback Zyon McCollum unavailable to play in Week Six.

McCollum watched Wednesday's walk-through practice from the sideline, with his left arm in a sling and his hand bandaged. Head Coach Todd Bowles explained that the fourth-year defender had medical work done on an injured thumb.

"He got a thumb procedure done, so we'll see how he feels towards the end of the week," said Bowles. "It's going to be touch-and-go."

McCollum suffered the injury in the Bucs' loss to Philadelphia on September 28, then played through it in last Sunday's win over the Seahawks. Bowles said that McCollum was "potentially" in play to suit up against the 49ers this coming Sunday.

"Presumably. We'll see what his pain level is," said the coach. "That's what it's going to depend on."

McCollum has been the team's most active cornerback this season, playing all but two defensive snaps through the first five weeks while recording 31 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defensed. Jamel Dean and rookie Benjamin Morrison had been splitting time at the other outside corner spot, but both players missed the Seattle game due to injuries. A return by either Dean or Morrison would balance the scales somewhat if McCollum is out on Sunday, and Bowles suggested that Dean was the more likely of the two to play.

"Dean is in play," said Bowles. "We'll see what he does tomorrow but he's in play. Morrison, I haven't seen enough of him."

for a look at some of the other top storylines developing this week as the 4-1 Bucs prepare for a visit from the 4-1 49ers.

Rachaad White

#1

RB

• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 214 lbs
• College: Arizona State

October 3 Updates

Following the Buccaneers' final practice of the week on Friday, Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed that starting running back Bucky Irving will be unavailable to play on Sunday in Seattle due to foot and shoulder injuries. Irving was one of five players, the Buccaneers will be ruling out on Friday's injury report, along with wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Christian Izien and cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison.

As a rookie, Irving gradually moved into the lead back role for Tampa Bay as the season progressed, eventually leading the team and all NFL rookies with 1,122 rushing yards and 1,514 yards from scrimmage. This year, he is the unquestioned starter and Leads the team with 237 rushing yards, 19 receptions and 430 yards from scrimmage through four games. That is obviously a big loss for an offense already missing Evans and two of its original starting offensive linemen, but the Bucs feel like they are well equipped to handle Irving's absence.

Specifically, the team has three other running backs on the 53-man roster, veterans Rachaad White and Sean Tucker and rookie Josh Williams. White was the starter entering the 2024 season after he had racked up 1,539 yards from scrimmage in 2023, while Tucker has had far fewer opportunities but has handled them well when they've come. Williams, who played his college ball at LSU and made the team as an undrafted free agent, will likely be active on game day for the first time this season.

"Rachaad and most of them have played before, other than Josh," said Bowles. "He hasn't played before. But everybody else we've played with before and we think can do a hell of a job. So we feel good about them playing."

The Bucs faced a similar situation in Week Six last year when White, then the starter, couldn't play due to injury in a game at New Orleans. That didn't slow down the offense, as it set a franchise single-game record with 594 net yards, with Irving contributing 105 yards from scrimmage and Tucker winning NFC Offensive Player of the Week with 192 yards from scrimmage and two scores. Tucker only has one carry for two yards this season, but in his three-year career he has carried 66 times for 333 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per run. After his explosion in New Orleans, Bowles suggested that Tucker should get the ball more often, but that has proved difficult to manufacture with the Irving-White duo being so productive.

"I still feel that way but it's hard to do when you've got Bucky and Rachaad sitting right there," said Bowles. "I didn't say it was fair, I just said he needs more touches. I'd like [for him] to have more touches, but the other two guys deserve their touches as well. It's just one of those good problems to have as a coach."

for a tale of the tape in the Bucs-Seahawks matchup on Sunday.

October 1 Updates

Buccaneers Running Backs Coach Skip Peete received medical attention near the beginning of the team's Wednesday morning walk-through and left the facility for further examination. The Buccaneers released the following statement regarding Peete's status:

"During this morning's walk-through practice, running backs coachSkip Peeteexperienced a medical episode. He was attended to by team medical personnel and was responsive, coherent, and in stable condition prior to being transported off site for further medical evaluations. Additional updates will be provided as they become available."

Peete, 62, is in his third season on Tampa Bay's coaching staff. He has previously coached for the Raiders, Cowboys, Bears and Rams. Players and coaches paused for several minutes, expressing concern over Peete's health.

"It's definitely scary," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "Luckily he was alert after [the episode] and kind of making some jokes, but in the moment, it's much bigger than the game of football. Especially when you come into work every day with your teammates, coaching staff, everybody in the building, when something like that happens, somebody close to you, it put things in perspective."

Bucky Irving

#7

RB

• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 195 lbs
• College: Oregon

Bucky Irving, the Buccaneers' leading rusher, watched the Bucs' walk-through on Wednesday while wearing a walking boot on his left leg. After practice, Head Coach Todd Bowles said that the team wouldn't have clarity on his game status for this weekend until Friday, but he knows Irving has to shed the boot before having a chance to get ready to play against the Seahawks on Sunday.

"They said we'll know more by Friday," said Bowles. "Right now it's a sprain [and] they're taking it day-to-day. If he's not out of the boot by Friday I would probably be more inclined to say he's not going to play."

If Irving is sidelined against Seattle, it will mark the first game he has missed since being drafted in the fourth round in 2024. Irving was also the Bucs' leading rusher in his first season, gaining 1,122 yards on the ground and 1,514 yards from scrimmage, both best among NFL rookies. The Buccaneers have three other running backs on the roster in Rachaad White, Sean Tucker and Josh Williams, the lattermost of whom is an undrafted rookie who has been inactive for the first four games.

"Having a lot of reps with 'Chaad, and you guys have seen what Tuck's able to do as well with his speed; it's elite," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "Just getting back to what we had prior to Bucky. Then you add in a guy like Josh Williams if Bucky's not able to go, [he's] a guy that I told you guys during training camp that I really, really liked. Smart kid, knows exactly what we're trying to get done. It's not the same without Buck because he brings a different spark to it and those explosive plays that you guys have seen for two years now that we'll be missing. But we'll see. Hopefully he's able to play, but it not we trust the guys that are in there."

for more important storylines leading up to Sunday's game in Seattle.