The Bucs have released their initial injury report ahead of their Week 9 matchup against the Texans, and it includes some of the team’s most important starters.

Bucs’ Starting Quarterback Continues To Work Through Knee Issue

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Starting at the quarterback position, Baker Mayfield’s ongoing knee issue landed him on the injury report to start the week, though he was a full participant. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that Mayfield is playing through a left knee contusion that is causing discomfort, but his MRI came back clean.

Asked about his knee on Wednesday, Mayfield explained when he first picked up the injury and said it’s getting better every day.

“I went down on that New Orleans hit – the touchdown to Cade [Otton]. Then just a real awkward fall against the Falcons that I guess reaggravated it,” Mayfield said. “But yeah, it’s getting better each day. It just comes with time. It’s not something that’s going to heal overnight. It just gets better each day.”

Given that he’s been dealing with it for weeks, had extra rest after playing on Thursday night in Week 8 and the fact that he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, it wouldn’t appear that Mayfield’s status is in doubt for Sunday’s game in Houston.

Key Injuries In The Trenches For Tampa Bay

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs have a few players on the offensive and defensive lines who are on this week’s injury report. On the offensive line, it’s left guard Matt Feiler (knee) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Feiler missed the Bucs’ loss to the Bills in Week 8 and was replaced by Aaron Stinnie, while Wirfs picked up a deep thigh bruise in the game and toughed it out.

Feiler didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice, but Wirfs did in a limited capacity. Tampa Bay head coach was asked about his star left tackle’s progress in his Wednesday press conference.

“He’s coming along,” Bowles said. “He’s moving a lot better than he was or would have been had we had a game. But, he’s coming along, so hopefully in a couple more days, he’ll be okay.”

Bucs NT Vita Vea and Eagles C Jason Kelce – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On the defensive line, both Vita Vea and Logan Hall are dealing with groin injuries. Vea missed last week’s game after being a game-time decision, while Hall injured his groin in warmups before pushing through it for 18 snaps in the game.

Hall did not participate on Wednesday, but Vea was a full participant and Bowles said he’s “feeling a lot better.”

Bucs’ Full Wednesday Injury Report

Matt Feiler — Knee — Did Not Participate

Logan Hall — Groin — Did Not Participate

Ko Kieft — Ankle — Limited Participation

Baker Mayfield — Knee — Full Participation

Kaevon Merriweather — Ankle — Limited Participation

Vita Vea — Groin — Full Participant

Tristan Wirfs — Quadriceps — Limited Participation

Texans’ Full Wednesday Injury Report

Here is the Texans’ injury report for Wednesday:

Blake Cashman — Wrist — Full Participation

George Fant — Foot/Shoulder — Limited Participation

Ka’dar Hollman — Ankle — Did Not Participate

Tytus Howard — Knee — Limited Participation

Josh Jones — Hand — Full Participation

Brevin Jordan — Foot — Did Not Participate

Denzel Perryman — Hand/Wrist — Full Participation

Dameon Pierce — Ankle — Did Not Participate

Sheldon Rankins — Knee — Limited Participation

Tavierre Thomas — Hand — Full Participation

Laremy Tunsil — Knee — Did Not Participate

Jimmie Ward — Rest — Limited Participation

Robert Woods — Foot — Did Not Participate