The Bucs made a couple of practice squad elevations on Saturday that could give us some clues about player availability for Sunday’s home game against the 49ers, who are 4-4. Tampa Bay elevated wide receiver Marquez Callaway from the practice squad, which could be a sign that the status of wide receiver Jalen McMillan comes down to a game-time decision like last week.

McMillan, who is listed as questionable for the second straight week, re-injured his hamstring in practice leading up to the Week 9 game at Kansas City after missing Weeks 4 and 5 due to a hamstring injury yet returning to action in Weeks 6, 7 and 8. The Bucs expected him to play on Monday night versus the Chiefs, but he went through pre-game warm-ups and felt like he couldn’t go and didn’t play.

McMillan drew some slight criticism from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield after the Chiefs game, eluding to the possibility that McMillan might not have been seeking the proper rehab or preventative stretching to put his hamstring injury behind him.

“I found out in the locker room when we got here, or after he did the workout,” Mayfield said. “We had some plays designed for him. That’s part of being a pro, you’ve got to take care of your body. Sometimes unfortunate things happen but you’ve got to do everything you can to get ready to play for this team.”

McMillan missed the first two practices of the week, but was limited during Friday’s practice. He is believed to be a game-time decision once again for the 49ers game.

The Status Of Other Injured Bucs Players

Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs wide receiver Jalen McMillan wasn’t the only player who is listed as questionable heading into the 49ers game. Defensive tackle Greg Gaines is expected to return to action after a calf injury kept him out of the last few games. Gaines was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Rookie nickelback Tykee Smith (knee) and strong safety Jordan Whitehead (quad) were both limited on Friday. Smith’s knee injury just popped up on Friday, while Whitehead has been dealing with a quad injury for most of the season and didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Long snapper Evan Deckers was activated from injured reserve on Saturday and linebacker Vi Jones is once again elevated from the practice squad and will see action on Sunday for the second straight week. Jones played three snaps on defense in last week’s game at Kansas City.

With Tampa Bay entering Week 10 with a 4-5 record, the team would love nothing better to get back to .500 as the Bucs enter their bye week.

Wide receiver Mike Evans and cornerback Jamel Dean are expected to return after the bye week from their hamstring injuries. Evans was not placed on injured reserve and has been ruled out for Sunday’s game versus San Francisco. Dean was placed on injured reserve after the team’s Week 6 win at New Orleans.