It appears a pair of concussions will keep two Bucs starters off the field Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Wide receiver Adam Humphries and right tackle Demar Dotson suffered head injuries last week in San Diego that landed them in the NFL’s concussion protocol this week. According to Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter, that’s were both players remain.

Adam Humphries– Photo by: Getty Images

“They’re both still in,” Koetter said Friday afternoon following practice. “They’re both still in the protocol.”

When asked if that means they both will be unavailable Sunday, Koetter did not sound optimistic.

“Again, anytime it’s concussion protocol, I’m completely out of it,” he said. “It has nothing to do with us. It’s mandated by whatever that protocol is.”

That protocol requires players to return to full participation in practice to be eligible to return to the field of play. Humphries practiced on a limited basis Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. He was practicing again Friday and the team will release its injury report this afternoon to update his status. As he has been all week, Dotson remained held out of practice, meaning he will not be eligible to play Sunday.

Bucs tackle Demar Dotson – Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire

If Humphries is a no-go, that will further deplete Tampa Bay’s thin receiving corps that lost Cecil Shorts III to a season-ending knee injury on the third play of the game last week. The Bucs addressed the issue this week by promoting wideout Josh Huff from the practice squad to the active roster. Humphries is the team’s slot receiver and third-leading pass catcher in terms of receptions and yards. Huff was signed by Tampa Bay on Nov. 7 after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The absence of Dotson will mean veteran Gosder Cherilus will likely slide into the starting lineup and right tackle.