With the downgrading of three more players on Saturday from “questionable” to “out” for the Bucs vs. Raiders game, three other Bucs were listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against Las Vegas. Pewter Report has learned that rookie running back Bucky Irving, who was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week winner last week with his career-high 152-yard rushing game will play after suffering a hip and back injury last week at Carolina.
Irving was injured on the kickoff right before halftime, but still ran for over 100 yards in the second half, including a 43-yard jaunt. Yet Irving’s hip injury flared up again and he was unable to go in the overtime period. Irving missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was limited on Friday but is good to go.
Bucs wide receiver Trey Palmer was limited on Thursday and Friday due to a hip injury but is expected to play.
Rookie nickelback Tykee Smith has missed the last three games with a knee injury he suffered on a Friday practice back in November. Smith was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant on Friday. Yet he is expected to be a game-time decision after going through pre-game warm-ups at Raymond James Stadium.
Bucs Injury Recap – Previously Reported

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: USA Today
The Bucs listed four players as out for their game on Sunday versus the Raiders on Friday afternoon, but the team added three more on Saturday.
Tampa Bay downgraded cornerback Josh Hayes, linebacker J.J. Russell, and outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from questionable to out for Sunday’s home game at Raymond James Stadium against Las Vegas.
Hayes and Russell both injured their hamstrings on Friday during practice – an unfortunate occurrence that has happened far too often this year with many players in those Friday practices.
Tryon-Shoyinka missed last week’s game at Carolina after hurting his ankle in the 30-7 win at New York against the Giants following the team’s bye week a few weeks ago. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was a full participant on Friday, yet was ruled out on Saturday. Anthony Nelson is expected to start in place of Tryon-Shoyinka for the second straight week.

Bucs DB Mike Edwards Photo by: USA Today
On Friday, linebacker K.J. Britt, safety Mike Edwards, cornerback Troy Hill and outside linebacker Markees Watts were declared out.
Britt and Edwards suffered ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively, in last week’s 26-23 overtime win at Carolina. With both Russell and Britt out, Vi Jones, a former practice squad player, is slated to start at inside linebacker next to Lavonte David on Sunday.
Hill has been dealing with a foot injury for quite some time, and Watts is coming off injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered back in Week 5 at Atlanta.
Watts has not been signed to the active roster just yet, but that could happen soon as he’s practiced the last two weeks. The Bucs will need to make a roster move to bring Watts aboard the active roster, perhaps next week.