Who’s got it better than the Bucs? NOBODY…at least in the NFC South, that is. 

Last week, Tampa won its third straight game with a 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. That triumph, paired with the Atlanta Falcons fourth straight loss, moved the Bucs into the No. 1 seed in the NFC South.

This week, though, Tampa will face its toughest test since returning from the bye week, matching up against Jim Harbaugh’s (8-5) Los Angeles Chargers.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs Injured on Both Sides?

The Bucs have struggled with injuries on both sides of the ball all season long, and this week is no different. 

The secondary has been shorthanded for the majority of the season, and after Antoine Winfield Jr. sustained a knee sprain, that trend will continue for multiple weeks. 

Offensively, Tampa’s run game continued to look dominant, but who has the big game continues to be a surprise. Rookie phenom Bucky Irving went out of the game and is still dealing with hip and back injuries that could impact his ability to play this week. However, in his absence, Rachaad White looked like the more than-capable starter he was last season.

With that, here is the Bucs injury report after Wednesday:

• G Ben Bredeson — shoulder — did not participate 
• LB K.J. Britt — ankle — did not participate 
• S Mike Edwards — hamstring — did not participate
• WR Mike Evans — hamstring — did not participate 
• DL Greg Gaines — knee— limited participant 
• DL William Gholston — knee — full participant 
• DL Logan Hall — shoulder — full participant 
• DB Josh Hayes — hamstring — did not participate 
• RB Bucky Irving — hip/back — did not participate 
• S Christian Izien — groin — did not participate 
• WR Rakim Jarrett — finger — full participant 
• TE Ko Kieft — ankle — limited participant
• LB J.J. Russell — hamstring — limited participant
• WR Sterling Shepard — foot — did not participate 
• S Tykee Smith — knee — limited participant
• OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka — ankle — full participant 
• OLB Markees Watts — knee — full participant 
• S Antoine Winfield Jr. — knee — did not participate 
• LT Tristan Wirfs — foot/knee — did not participate 

Chargers Injury Report

Chargers OLB Joey Bosa vs. Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Here is the Los Angeles Chargers injury report after Wednesday:

• LB Joey Bosa — hip — did not participate 
• WR Derius Davis — hamstring — limited participant 
• TE Will Dissly — shoulder — did not participate
• QB Justin Herbert — ankle/thigh — did not participate 
• S Tony Jefferson — hamstring — limited participant 
• OLB Khalil Mack — rest — did not participate 
• WR Ladd McConkey — knee/shoulder — limited participant 
• MLB Denzel Perryman — groin — limited participant 
• WR Jalen Reagor — finger — did not participate