The playoffs are back as the Bucs are poised to defend their Super Bowl title. However, this year looks a little different, as Tampa Bay has a myriad of injuries on both sides of the ball.

Running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and inside linebacker Lavonte David (foot) remain on injured reserve. While not technically on IR, outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul has been out since Week 16 with a rotator cuff injury. Fellow outside linebacker Shaq Barrett hurt his MCL in the road game that same week against the Panthers, forcing him out for the last two games of the season.

But Bucs head coach Bruce Arians is hopeful the team will near full strength against the Eagles.

“Leonard looks great,” Arians said. “He’s been working good. He should be back. Shaq and JPP should be both be back. Lavonte, he’ll be the one that’s the closest. But he is starting to move around pretty good. We’ll wait and see. Those guys that have been on IR and have been out, I expect them all to be back. Maybe Lavonte could not.”

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

It wouldn’t be a Bucs game if someone didn’t get injured in the middle of it. Wide receiver Cyril Grayson Jr. left the season finale early with a hamstring injury and did not return. Cornerback Jamel Dean also shortly after with a hamstring injury.

“It’s not quite as bad as he thought,” Arians said of Grayson’s hamstring. “But his availability this week will be in question. I’m still waiting to hear about Jamel Dean. That’s the one that has me concerned from this ball game.”

Of all the players in question, David is arguably the most important one for the Bucs. Their run-stopping efficiency has dropped with David out, especially over the last two weeks where they’ve allowed a combined 260 yards on the ground.

The Bucs will host the Eagles on Sunday at 1pm EST in the Wild Card playoff game. Philadelphia boasts a potent rushing attack that leads the league, averaging 159.7 rushing yards per game.