Tampa Bay had a walk-through practice on Wednesday in preparation for this week’s game at Green Bay against a Packers team with the same 6-7 record. There were a slew of Bucs players that did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through and would be considered questionable right now to play in Sunday’s game.

Although the official injury report won’t come out until later Wednesday afternoon, Bowles rattled off the names of at least six players that did not practice, which is not a huge surprise considering it’s December and most teams have a long list of injured players this time of year.

“Will Gholston did not participate,” Bowles said. “[Chris] Godwin, Ryan Neal, Vita [Vea], there should be two or there more in there somewhere. Carlton [Davis III], probably two more are missing.”

Vea missed Sunday’s game with a toe injury, along with starting cornerback Jamel Dean and starting inside linebacker Devin White – both of whom have now missed multiple games with ankle and foot injuries, respectively. White is another player that didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Gholston got hurt in the second half of the Bucs’ 29-25 win at Atlanta, and Bowles was asked what his specific injury is.

“He’s got a leg [injury] – ankle and a knee,” Bowles said.

Bowles said it’s too early to tell which players will and will not be available on Sunday in Green Bay, but feels like half will be a game-time decision.

“Some of them will be game-time decisions,” Bowles said. “It’s probably half and half. There are some of them that are hurt and we’ll see how they trend during the week.”

Linebacker K.J. Britt, Safety Kaevon Merriweather Step Up For Injured Bucs

Bucs ILB KJ Britt and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said the team will start K.J. Britt at inside linebacker for a second straight game for the Bucs if Devin White, who has missed two games with a foot injury, can’t go against the Packers. Bowles praised Britt’s play in Atlanta where he had eight tackles and a pass breakup in his first NFL start.

“Most of them [the Bucs’ backups] have played earlier in the year except K.J., but they’re not making the mistakes they made in the middle of the season,” Bowles said. “Coming down the stretch they are playing confidently. KJ has been itching to play for a long time. He’s very smart and the guys believe in him. He’s in to it. I mean he’s all ball. If you talk to the guy he’s all ball. He got an opportunity to play and he made the most of it.”

Bowles said he’s unsure if White will be able to participate on Thursday when the transitions from walk-through to full practice.

“Hopefully he does something tomorrow, but until he gets better we have to move forward with K.J.” Bowles said. “It’s early in the week, so we’ll see what two weeks off – what he does towards the end of the week and kind of go from there.”

Bucs rookie safety Kaevon Merriweather has gotten some playing time for Ryan Neal earlier in the season and he had a tackle and a key pass breakup versus the Falcons after Neal got hurt on Sunday.

“He got a PBU (pass breakup), the game is not too big for him,” Bowles said. “Always prepared. You know he’s one of the few rookies that if you call his name – he pays attention in meetings and walk-throughs. Even when he doesn’t get the reps, he mentally takes reps. So when he put you put him in there, it’s not a surprise and it’s not a shock to him and he plays like he’s been there and that that the thing about him.”