The Tampa Bay Bucs put up another tough fight against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night, but despite their efforts, the team walked away with its third straight loss, its second in overtime.

Now, the team must go from facing the reigning Super Bowl champs to the reigning NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers. 

Tampa has shown itself capable of competing with any team this season despite its 4-5 record, and on paper, it would seem the 49ers, who have also dealt with injuries this season, are a beatable opponent.

However, this week, San Francisco could be adding a new wrinkle to its offense as superstar running back Christian McCaffrey has returned to practice after missing the team’s first eight games due to achilles injuries.

Is the Bucs Offense Any Healthier?

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

While it would appear the San Francisco 49ers are getting healthier, there don’t seem to be any major improvements for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last week, Jalen McMillan was inactive following a late-week hamstring injury, leaving the team without its top three receivers. 

So far this week, the rookie receiver has been unable to participate in practice, making him questionable to play in Sunday’s contest. With Mike Evans unlikely to return to action until after next week’s bye, the Bucs who can play must operate at a high level, especially if Christian McCaffrey is active.

With that, here is the Bucs injury report after Thursday:

• G Ben Bredeson — shoulder — limited participant 
• LS Evan Deckers — hamstring — full participant 
• WR Mike Evans — hamstring — did not participate 
• DL Greg Gaines — calf — limited participant 
• DL William Gholston — knee/ribs — limited participant 
• RB Bucky Irving — toe — limited participant 
• QB Baker Mayfield — toe — did not participate 
• WR Jalen McMillan — hamstring — did not participate 
• LB J.J. Russell — ribs — limited participant 
• WR Sterling Shepard — hamstring/hip — did not participate 
• NT Vita Vea — hip — limited participant 
• S Jordan Whitehead — quad — did not participate 

49ers Injury Report

Here is the 49ers injury report after Thursday:

• WR Chris Conley — hamstring — did not participate 
• DT Kevin Givens — groin — did not participate 
• CB Charvarius Ward — personal matter — did not participate 
• LT Trent Williams — resting player — did not participate 
• DE Nick Bosa — hip — limited participant
• G Jon Feliciano — knee — limited participant 
• DE Yetur Gross-Matos — knee — limited participant 
• WR Jauan Jennings — hip — limited participant 
• RB Christian McCaffrey — achilles — limited participant 
• K Jake Moody — right ankle — limited participant 
• WR Deebo Samuel Sr. — rib/oblique — limited participant 
• P Mitch Wishnowsky — back — limited participant 
• CB Renardo Green — ankle — full participant 
• RB Jordan Mason — shoulder — full participant
• LB Dee Winters — concussion — full participant 
• S Malik Mustapha — calf — limited participant 
• QB Brandon Allen — left finger — full participant