The Bucs and Steelers got after it during an entertaining Thursday joint practice session, led by sensational play from the wide receivers and the defense making a stand to end the afternoon.

After seeing how his team performed before facing Pittsburgh on Saturday night, head coach Todd Bowles made some announcements about who will play and who will sit out. In doing so, Bowles also announced veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s game status.

Todd Bowles Reveals Which Bucs Starters Are A Go

Todd Bowles revealed that outside of wide receiver Mike Evans and inside linebacker Lavonte David, fans can expect to see all of the starters suited up and ready to get after it against the Steelers when the teams kick off their second preseason game at 7:00 PM.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

“Barring Mike Evans and Lavonte David, everybody else should be ready to play,” Bowles said.

When asked about shutting down Evans for the remaining preseason games after giving cornerback Jalen Ramsey fits, it sounds like that is the plan.

“He’ll be shut down after today anyway, so yeah, you read my mind,” Bowles added. “He’s definitely one of them that wasn’t playing in the game, so today was his game.”

It was always the best course of action to preserve M1K3 in the buildup before the season. When on the field during practice, Evans looks as sharp as ever with his 32nd birthday just a week away. Keeping that in mind and saving him for when it counts is the rational choice.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When asked about wide receiver Trey Palmer though, Bowles was not as optimistic about his prognosis.

“He will not probably play Saturday. He hasn’t even practiced. He’s getting better; we’ll see when he comes out there.”

Palmer’s injury played a part in Tampa Bay signing Jaden Smith and Jacob Harris during camp. Missing another preseason game will not help his cause in making the 53-man roster. Both Palmer and Kameron Johnson returned to practice on Thursday, so perhaps the speedster can get up to speed enough to play a bit.

When it comes to the status of other injured players, safety Antoine Winfield Jr, running back Rachaad White, outside linebacker, and cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison, Bryce Hall, and Tyrek Funderburk did not practice on Thursday. UDFA defensive back JJ Roberts was also injured during special teams drills, with Bowles saying he will get X-Rays and a MRI on Friday.

Todd Bowles: “Teddy Bridgewater Is Going To Make An Appearance”

After quarterbacks Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak held it down under center during the preseason opener, Todd Bowles shared that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be getting some run on Saturday, too.

“Teddy is going to make an appearance, yes,” Bowles said.

Bridgewater has quickly started to set some roots and pick up offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s offense. With the overlap the veteran signal-caller had with Grizzard in Miami, plus all of the other connections he has with the coaching staff, seeing him able to join a new team late in the offseason and already see the field does not surprise the head coach.

Bucs QB Teddy Bridgewater – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Well, he’s very smart,” Bowles said about Bridgewater. “He’s played the game a long time and seen a lot of offenses, so he understands offensive schemes. The wording, the language may be different for him but once he got that down after a few days, we’d like to see him run the offense and we’d like to see him control the game.”

It seemed like Bridgewater may still be third or fourth in line to get reps under center come Saturday night, but Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday evening that upon further review of the tape from the joint practice, Todd Bowles will hold starting quarterback Baker Mayfield out against the Steelers as well.

When Bridgewater will enter the game remains unclear, but whenever that may be, it will be a chance to examine if the veteran is valuable enough to keep as the third quarterback on the 53-man roster or on the practice squad.

“Well, he’s an extra coach,” Bowles added. “You know, most good quarterbacks have another guy in there that’s a veteran, that’s pretty savvy, that understands the game. He can help Baker [Mayfield] out. Coaches can help him out, but there’s nothing like seeing it from a player’s standpoint, and he can give that to Baker.”

Saturday will offer a chance to see Teddy Bridgewater in action, along with many of the Bucs’ starters. Be sure to stay tuned into PewterReport.com for the latest updates and game coverage.