The Bucs’ Thursday injury report was just released, and there is one notable addition worth monitoring. While defensive lineman Calijah Kancey made his return today as a limited participant, right guard Cody Mauch did not practice and was on the list with a back injury, which is definitely concerning just days away from the Bucs season opener against the Vikings.

What If RG Cody Mauch Can’t Go For The Bucs?

Bucs RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

If Cody Mauch is unavailable in Week 1, that would definitely create another huge question for a Bucs’ offensive line with plenty of them. He is expected to step right in as the starter at the position after the team traded Shaq Mason away in the offseason, and there is not a ton of depth after him.

Presumably, next in line would be Aaron Stinnie, who re-signed with the team in the spring. Otherwise, some line shuffling may be in order, with Nick Leverett either filling in at right guard or moving him to left guard for a game and playing Matt Feiler, another offseason acquisition, at right guard.

No matter how you slice it, it is not good if Mauch – someone the Bucs think highly of for his potential within Dave Canales’ offensive scheme –  is out on Sunday. For an offense placing a heavy emphasis on running the football, Mauch is seen as a key element in getting in space and mauling opposing defenders. It will be interesting to see his level of participation in practice tomorrow.

Bucs

DL Calijah Kancey – Calf – Limited Participation

S – Kaevon Merriweather – Quad – Full Participation

OLB – Anthony Nelson – Hamstring – Limited Participation

RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – NIR – Personal – Full Participation

S Antoine Winfield Jr. – Calf – Full Participation

G Cody Mauch – Back – Did Not Participate

Vikings

LB Troy Dye – Elbow – Full Participation

P Ryan Wright – Ankle – Full Participation