All week long Bucs rookies Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter have been at the forefront of the Bucs’ injury news. While Bain wasn’t seen at all this week, Trotter had been out there with the team, but not participating. Instead, he was just running on his own.
That wasn’t the case on Friday, though, as Trotter was able to participate in drills with his fellow inside linebackers at practice. Despite that, it wasn’t enough to get the green light for Week 3. Following Tampa Bay’s session, head coach Todd Bowles said that Bain and Trotter will be out for the game.
Here’s Josiah Trotter participating in drills. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/EpspTXnSAY
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) September 25, 2026
A groin injury sustained last week has kept Bain out of all three practices, and he wasn’t even outside watching like some do. Another outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, who missed Wednesday’s practice, participated the last two days and will be good to go. That’ll put Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Nelson and David Walker as the next players up. Walker is the only player amongst all the edge rushers to record a sack this season.

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect
As for Trotter, he has a low grade sprain on his left shoulder. They’re going to look at it week to week.
“It’s probably a toleration thing,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how he feels.”
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles says that OLB Rueben Bain Jr. and ILB Josiah Trotter are OUT for Sunday’s game.
SirVocea Dennis and Christian Rozeboom will both play at ILB, depending on the package. pic.twitter.com/9Bp7DnQ1Cd
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) September 25, 2026
In replacement of Trotter, the Bucs have two options at inside linebacker for who will start next Alex Anzalone. It could be either SirVocea Dennis or Christian Rozeboom, though Bowles said that both will play depending on what the package is.
The Bucs will also be getting Jacob Parrish back after he missed last week. This gives an intriguing proposition for Tampa Bay as they’ve gotten good play from other corners Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison so far. We may see all of the players involved depending on personnel matchups.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“He looks like his old self,” Bowles mentioned of Parrish as he ramped it up.
It will also be intriguing to see how much wide receiver Jalen McMillan is involved this week. He made his season debut last game, but only played seven snaps. McMillan mentioned that the original plan was for him to play 30. With Tampa Bay’s offense struggling and going against a very aggressive Vikings’ defense, McMillan’s involvement will be welcomed.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
Here is the full injury report and final injury designations for the Bucs and Vikings ahead of their game this weekend.
Bucs Friday Injury Report
Rueben Bain Jr. – Groin – DNP – Out
Josiah Trotter – Shoulder – Limited – Out

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect
Baker Mayfield – Illness – Full
Jalen McMillan – Knee – Full
Anthony Nelson – Shin – Full
Jacob Parrish – Back – Full
A’Shawn Robinson – Rest – Full
Vikings Friday Injury Report
Nick Samac – Knee – DNP – Out
Brett Thorson – Right Hamstring – Out
DeeJay Dallas – Toe – Limited – Full
Christian Darrisaw – Rest – DNP
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – Oblique – Full
Jake Golday – Ankle – Full
Aaron Jones – Knee – Full
Brian O’Neill – Knee – Full
Jalen Redmond – Elbow – Full
Harrison Smith – Rest -Limited
Matt Matera joined Pewter Report as an intern in 2018 and worked his way to becoming a full-time Bucs beat writer in 2020. In addition to providing daily coverage of the Bucs for Pewter Report, he also spearheads the Pewter Report Podcast on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel. Matera also makes regular in-season radio appearances analyzing Bucs football on WDAE 95.3 FM, the flagship station of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.



