The Bucs are almost at full capacity in terms of getting their players healthy for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Ironically, the person that’s missed the last two practices is a player that isn’t dealing with an injury.

Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett wasn’t seen at practice on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice as well. He was listed on the report with an illness and evidently it’s strong enough to keep him out for a second day in a row.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said that Shaq Barrett is under the weather. They’ll see how he feels this weekend.

If Barrett can’t go for the game, Anthony Nelson and YaYa Diaby will share reps while Joe Tryon-Shoyinka starts on the opposite end. This will also give Cam Gill and opportunity and the potential for Markees Watts to get called up.

Will The Bucs Have Mike Evans On Sunday?

Tampa Bay received good news when wide receiver Mike Evans was limited in practice on Thursday. That continued into Friday as Evans was seen at practice warming up. He even participated in drills with the rest of the receivers and tight ends on offense, lightly running routes and catching a pass from an assistant coach. He wound up being a full participant.

Bowles said that Evans will play on Sunday against the Lions.

The presence of Evans is very important for the Bucs in this matchup. He and Chris Godwin have combined for 592 of the 882 receiving yards that the Bucs have racked up this season. No other pass catcher even has 100 yards on the season. The next closest is 89 yards by tight end Cade Otton.

Status Of Other Key Bucs Players

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There are many other players that Tampa Bay fans will want to know about for Sunday. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, cornerback Jamel Dean, safety Ryan Neal, outside linebacker Anthony Nelson and right tackle Luke Goedeke were all participating.

This will be Kancey’s second start after leaving the season opener at Minnesota after just 11 plays due to tightness in his calf. Kancey has practiced all four days this week, including Monday’s bonus practice coming off the bye week. So that could be a great sign that his calf injury is behind him.

Kancey hasn’t played since Week 1 while Dean missed Week 4. Neal and Nelson each sustained concussions in the Bucs’ last game at New Orleans, but have been cleared to play through the concussion protocol, while Goedeke injured his calf versus the Saints but was able to play the whole game.