The already injured Bucs suffered more hits on Sunday when they beat the Eagles 33-16. With Tampa Bay playing on a short week for Thursday night football on the road against the Falcons, that makes it tougher to get those guys back with less days to recover.

Second year inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who’s been platooning with K.J. Britt as they play almost the same amount of time each game, exited very early on Sunday with a shoulder injury. Dennis was only able to play five snaps before going out. Britt finished the rest of the way, playing 51 snaps and making six tackles.

Injury To Bucs’ ILB SirVocea Dennis Looks Significant

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: USA Today

It was also a shoulder injury that kept SirVocea Dennis out for the preseason and several training camp practices. Dennis has had a couple of injuries that have sidelined him through his first two seasons and this latest shoulder issue might be the worst of it. On Monday Bucs head coach Todd Bowles shared some information that it might not be looking too good.

“SirVocea got pretty nicked up with his shoulder,” Bowles said. “I think he hurt it pretty bad. We’re going to see how bad.”

Not only does this rule out Dennis for Thursday night, but he could potentially be out for several weeks, which is no doubt Tampa Bay’s toughest stretch of the season with the Falcons, Saints, Ravens, Falcons again, Chiefs and 49ers all on the schedule up until their bye in Week 11.

With Tampa Bay platooning Dennis and Britt, there’s already a regular starter available to take over. However, Dennis has been the much better linebacker when it comes to pass coverage, which is why the two of them were subbing in and out in the first place.

The Bucs could still keep Britt out there on passing situations. They also have J.J. Russell available and rookie Antonio Grier Jr. on the practice squad, who could be called up. Another option that Bowles and the Bucs have is to run different defensive formations in dime that could take another linebacker off the field and just go with Lavonte David.

“We’re mulling that over right now,” Bowles said. “There’s a bunch of different directions can go. We’ll see which one fits for the game.”

Updates On Bucs WR Trey Palmer, FS Antoine Winfield Jr. And DT Calijah Kancey

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The other big injury in the game for the Bucs was wide receiver Trey Palmer. A concussion took Palmer out early as well after 11 snaps. He was having a good game up to that point with three catches for 26 yards and a touchdown reception.

Palmer was already moving up to WR3 with Jalen McMillan out. Veteran Sterling Shepard then came in and had a great game himself with three catches for a 50 yards, including one that was a 30-yard gain.

Todd Bowles’ update on Palmer was better than what he said of SirVocea Dennis.

“Trey, everybody else is nicked up,” Bowles said. “They should be okay.”

Shepard was has been called up for the game in the the last two weeks. Since he’s on the practice squad, he can only be called up one more time. Considering the injuries to McMillan and Palmer, Bowles was asked if Shepard was going to be signed to the active roster.

Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photo by: USA Today

“Right now he’s still on the practice squad,” Bowles said. “Pending the status of the other two, that’s not out of the possibility. We just got to see how everything goes.”

Of course everybody wants to know about the status of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. Winfield has been out since Week 1 and Kancey has yet to play this season. Fans are anxiously waiting their return. Is this the week they come back?

“Still to be determined,” Bowles said.

Hopefully the Bucs can get their best players back sooner rather than later.