One of the few positives coming out of the Bucs 29-19 loss to the Washington Football Team is the team’s improving health. Tampa Bay has played large chunks of the season without four key pieces in WR Antonio Brown, TE Rob Gronkowski, CB Carlton Davis and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting. Brown and Gronkowski could miss another week or two, while Murphy-Bunting will be on a similar timeframe.

However, Davis remains on IR, and has not been activated for return yet. The Bucs desperately need their top cornerback in action soon. Head coach Bruce Arians offered some encouragement in his postgame presser.

“Sean showed a lot of progress this week,” Arians said. “He started to use his arm. We’ll see in practice next week. Carlton is close.”

Bucs CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’s unlikely that Davis will be activated and play this week against the Giants on Monday Night Football. The Bucs could be eyeing a November 28 return for both starting cornerbacks, against the Colts and Carson Wentz. But first, the Bucs need to open up Davis’ 21-day window to return to the roster. That hasn’t happened yet.

Meanwhile, Murphy-Bunting may be needed this week. Richard Sherman hurt his calf before the game against Washington and was ruled out. Then replacement Dee Delaney suffered a concussion in the second half. Earlier in the week, backup cornerback Rashard Robinson was placed on injured reserve. The Bucs finished Week 10 with just three healthy cornerbacks – Jamel Dean, Pierre Desir and Ross Cockrell.

Tampa Bay returns to action on Monday night at home against the New York Giants.