Before Tampa Bay’s game against Atlanta even started on Sunday, the Bucs were without key players on both sides of the ball. During the game the Bucs lost a few more due to in-game injuries.

Tampa Bay is more banged up on defense at the moment. Safety Logan Ryan missed Sunday’s contest with a foot injury, and head coach Todd Bowles didn’t sound optimistic about him returning against the Steelers this Sunday.

Bucs DT Akiem Hicks – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Probably not this week,” Bowles said on Monday.

In a Bucs’ free agency class that hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, Ryan has been a bright spot. He’s made nine tackles and two pass breakups while also forcing a fumble, recovering another and recording an interception in four games.

The other defensive player that was ruled out days before the Bucs beat the Falcons was defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who also has a foot injury. He’s missed three games already and the progress in his recovery has gone slower than expected.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Bowles said of the possibility that Hicks could practice this week. “We thought he’d heal a little bit earlier then he did. So it’s kind of a week by week thing right now with him.”

Bucs Defensive Backs Injured In-Game

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Sean Murphy-Bunting and safety Mike Edwards all left the game early. Davis has a hip injury, Murphy-Bunting heard a pop in his quad and Edwards injured his elbow, though he still played on 98% of the snaps. Right now, they’re still holding out for better results.

“Not yet, just sore,” Bowles said of the trio of DBs. “We’ll see how the weeks go and see if they can progress and start to play on Sunday.”

Bowles also confirmed that Murphy-Bunting will have an MRI and there’s uncertainty that Davis will need one as well.

“I know Sean is,” Bowles said. “I’m not sure about Carlton. I don’t think he is.”

It wasn’t all bad news, though, as Bowles stated that Edwards should be okay.

Bucs Safety Winfield Gets Praise

With Ryan out, the Bucs benefited from a great defensive game by Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. He came up with a game-leading eight tackles, one pass breakup, a sack and a forced fumble. He’s well on his way to another Pro Bowl season, and further accolades could be next.

“I say it all the time, he’s an old school football player,” Bowles said. “He just loves to play the game. He smiles when he’s out there, he understands it, he plays fast, he loves it. If he could be out there 24 hours a day he probably would.”

What About The Bucs Offense?

Bucs TE Cam Brate – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tight end  Cam Brate was unavailable for the Falcons game, as he was out with a concussion. It’s a monitoring process for when he can return.

“We’ll see how he feels and see if they clear him, ” Bowles said. “We’ll take it day by day.”

And then there’s the case of Julio Jones. The veteran receiver has played in just two games and only made it to halftime of Week 4. Although he practiced every day this week, it wasn’t enough to be active for the game. The Bucs are taking a very cautious approach with Jones, relying on the fact that they feel equipped with what else they have at wide receiver.

“I think we are [prepared],” Bowles said. “We want him fully healthy and not coming out for a week and then missing another couple of weeks. We think we got enough guys right now to weather that storm. His pain tolerance is very high, so I know he’s hurt. When he’s back we’ll be happy to have him. It’s just one of those things where we have to wait and see.”