The laundry list of injuries continued to pile up for the Bucs as wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and offensive guard Luke Haggard each suffered injuries in Sunday’s 30-19 win versus the 49ers. Factoring in concern over those two players, many want to know if the likes of receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr., running back Bucky Irving and cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison are going to be available for their next game on Monday Night Football in Detroit against the 4-2 Lions.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles addressed the team’s injury situation while speaking to the media on Monday.

Who’s In And Who’s Out For The Bucs?

There was a mixed bag of results when it comes to a number of the aforementioned players and the expectations for if they can play when the Bucs face the Lions on Monday. An update was provided on Egbuka as Bowles stated that he’ll be getting an MRI tomorrow. Haggard’s situation is not as good, Bowles didn’t know exactly how long he’d be out for but is doubtful that he’d play this week.

The good side of the injury news is that it appears Evans, McCollum and Morrison all have a chance to return for the next game. Evans has been out since Week 3 against the Jets, McCollum missed his first game on Sunday versus the 49ers and Morrison has been out the last two weeks since a Week 4 loss to the Eagles.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

“We would hope to see Mike and Zyon and Morrison do something this week,” Bowles said. “Then we’ll see how much they do to determine if they can play and what they can do.”

Each of their additions would be a big boost for this team. Anytime Evans is back in the lineup it immediately changes how opponents have to game plan for the Bucs offense. While Tampa Bay has gotten by with missing some of its top cornerbacks in recent games being without Jamel Dean for two games and McCollum last week, having their corner room at full strength would be a welcomed sight.

Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Despite the injury to Haggard, his replacement might come from a returning Michael Jordan, who is on the practice squad. He’s been out with a knee injury but looks to return to practice this week. Jordan was called up from the practice squad for the first two games of the season helping Tampa Bay start the year 2-0.

It wasn’t all good news, though, as the Bucs won’t have Chris Godwin Jr. and Bucky Irving available for at least another game.

“Chris is not in play to practice,” Bowles said. “I’m sure he probably won’t be back.”

Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When asked about Irving, Bowles confirmed that he was in the same situation.

Godwin Jr. had just returned in Week 4 from being out with broken ankle for nearly a year, but a fibula kept him out on Sunday. Irving is dealing with a shoulder and a foot injury that has forced him out of action the last two weeks.

Bucs Getting Other Players To Step Up

It’s downright shocking that the Bucs have yet to have a game this season where Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka have all played together. Tampa Bay was down their top four receivers last game, including the fact that Jalen McMillan, last year’s No. 3 receiver, has been on injured reserve since suffering a preseason neck injury.

Whether it’s backup corners, running backs or receivers, the Bucs are truly getting the job done with a by-committee approach. It was cornerback Kindle Vildor playing for McCollum who had an interception on the first defensive drive of the game. Rachaad White has filled in valiantly with Irving out, scoring three touchdowns in the last two games, as well as Sean Tucker also tacking on a touchdown. Elijah Kelin stepped in for Haggard and held his own in the fourth quarter versus the 49ers.

And the biggest splash may have come from reserve receivers Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson coming in for an injured Egbuka. Tez Johnson made just one catch, but it was a huge moment, as it came on a 45-yard touchdown reception on the throw from Baker Mayfield. Kameron Johnson led the team with 64 receiving yards and also had a touchdown. Each Johnson recorded the first TD of their careers.

Bucs WR Tez Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

It doesn’t matter who it is and where they are on the depth chart, Tampa Bay is getting help from everyone on this roster.

“I don’t think we look at it as wide receiver six and seven and guards four and five and all that stuff,” Todd Bowles said. “I think we look at is as guys make this team for a reason and when somebody goes down somebody’s got to step up have a job to do. And it’s up to them to do it but it’s also up to the coaches just to know exactly what they can do well and how they fit in the scheme and to work it that way to give them the best chance possible to succeed.”