The Bucs received some good news on the injury front early Sunday morning as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out some encouraging reports. Schefter said that running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and wide receiver Mike Evans (calf) would play against the Saints in New Orleans.
Bucs WR Mike Evans, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a calf injury, is expected to play to play vs. the Saints, per source. Bucs don’t expect to know whether they will have WR Julio Jones, who is Q due to a knee injury, until they see how he feels during pre-game warmups.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2022
Bucs’ RB Leonard Fournette, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is expected to play vs. the Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2022
Both were listed as questionable on the Bucs’ final injury report on Friday. Schefter indicated that wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) would be a game-time decision. The Bucs are expected to make Scotty Miller active on Sunday to replace wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is out.
The team also elevated rookie wide receiver Kaylon Geiger from the practice squad in case either Jones or Evans couldn’t go. Geiger may see his first NFL action if Jones does not end up playing.
The NFL has changed the injury designations this year and is no longer using the term “probable.” Any player that was listed as “probable” or “questionable” in the past having missed some practice time is now listed as “questionable.” The other injury designations are “doubtful” and “out.”
Schefter did not have any update on any of the other injured Bucs players. Tampa Bay left tackle Donovan Smith will be out for the game due to a hyper-extended elbow, per Sara Walsh. He missed practice all last week. Smith and cornerback Zyon McCollum (hamstring) were the only two Bucs listed as doubtful.
The other Tampa Bay players listed as questionable on the injury report are wide receivers Russell Gage (hamstring) and Breshad Perriman (knee) and right tackle Tristan Wirfs (abdomen).
More Bucs vs. Saints Injury News
Schefter did have an update on a few injured Saints players, too. Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (back) is expected to start for New Orleans.
Saints’ QB Jameis Winston, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a back injury, is expected to play vs. the Buccaneers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2022
Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ribs) is not expected to play, but Mark Ingram (ankle) will play against the Bucs.
Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a rib injury, is not expected to play vs. the Buccaneers, per source.
Saints’ RB Mark Ingram, also listed as questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury, is expected to to play vs. the Buccaneers, per source.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2022