Just when you think that the Bucs are finally going to be as close as they could possibly be to full strength for a game, the rug gets pulled out from under them again. Even with the likelihood of cornerback Jamel Dean for Sunday when the Bucs play the Giants, Tampa Bay might not be all set in the secondary.

Bucs Have One Out, Six Players Questionable

Following right after Friday’s practice, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles could only definitively rule out rookie slot corner Tykee Smith for Sunday’s game. Smith, who missed Tampa Bay’s Week 10 matchup, practiced on Wednesday but was unable to go in any capacity on Thursday or Friday. Bowles mentioned that Smith reaggravated the injury, which first occurred on the Friday practice before the 49ers game. Smith is technically listed as doubtful on the injury report, but Bowles saying he’s out doesn’t leave any room for interpretation.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The six Bucs players who are questionable for the game are cornerback Jamel Dean, wide receiver Mike Evans, nose tackle Greg Gaines, cornerbacks Troy Hill and Zyon McCollum and left tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Identifying Wirfs each practice has been a big topic for the Bucs and their fans. Each day he would come out slightly after the team warmed up but would participate in some drills that the media was able to see. It’s a tight rope the Bucs are trying to walk with having their best player available while also keeping him healthy enough for the long haul.

“We want to be smart and make sure he’s okay for the rest of the way,” Bowles said of Wirfs. “He’s getting a little better day by day. We’ll see. It’s going to go right up until Sunday for him.”

McCollum was likely the biggest question mark after Smith and Wirfs. He tweaked his hamstring late in the game against the 49ers, and even with a week off still needed as much time as possible to be game-ready. McCollum missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practice, but practiced in full on Friday. That leaves the possibility that McCollum and Dean could play together for the first time in weeks.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

“He looked pretty good,” Bowles said of McCollum. “He needed to be held out earlier in the week.”

Bucs fans will surely be excited about the return of Dean and Evans. Dean has missed four games while Evans has been out for three. Speaking to the media after practice, Evans spoke abut rehabbing with Dean and the discussion they have about coming back and helping the Bucs get on a playoff run.

“We were talking about that during rehab,” Evans said. “We were out here running, working really hard to try and get back…We know how important this stretch is of the season, so we made it a point to really work and make sure that we’re back and hopefully help the team win.”

Here is the full injury report for the Bucs and Giants ahead of their Week 12 game taking place at MetLife stadium.

Bucs Friday Injury Report

• S Tykee Smith — knee — did not participate – doubtful 
• CB Jamel Dean – hamstring – full participation – questionable
  

  Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

• WR Mike Evans – hamstring – limited participation – questionable 
• NT Greg Gaines – foot – limited participation – questionable 
• CB Troy Hill – ankle/foot – limited participation – questionable 
• CB Zyon McCollum – hamstring – full participation – questionable 
• T Tristan Wirfs – knee/foot – limited participation – questionable 
• G Ben Bredeson – shoulder – full participation 
• LB Lavonte David – rest – did not participate 
• DL Will Gholston – knee/rest – did not participate 
• RB Bucky Irving – toe – full participant 
• WR Jalen McMillan – hamstring – full participant

Giants Friday Injury Report

• WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton – achilles – limited participation – questionable 
• LB Micah McFadden – heel – did not participate – questionable
  

  Giants WR Malik Nabers – Photo by: USA Today

• LB Darius Muasau – hamstring – limited participation – questionable 
• WR Malik Nabers – groin – did not participate – questionable 
• LB Kayvon Thibodeaux – wrist – full participation – questionable 
• LB Matt Adams – knee – full participation 
• TE Theo Johnson – back – full participation 
• DL Dexter Lawrence – knee – limited participation 
• DB Tyler Nubin – back – limited participation 
• DB Dru Phillips – hip – full participation 
• OL Greg Van Roten – abdomen – full participation 
• WR Darius Slayton – concussion – full