Keeping with what the story has been for the Bucs this season, good injury news this week was immediately followed up by concerning injury news. And that’s reflected in the final inactives list for Sunday’s Week 14 matchup against the Saints at Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay saw both Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) return to practice this week, opening their 21-day practice windows ahead of their activations from injured reserve. Even if it was always a longshot that they would be ready for Sunday’s game, that was still fantastic news for the Bucs and a welcome sight.

But just as that good news came around, there came the news that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was a non-participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday with an oblique injury. And while he was able to get a limited practice in Friday, the real bad news came Sunday when Wirfs was among the inactives for Tampa Bay’s Week 14 game.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

It remains to be seen how the Bucs will configure their offensive line in Wirfs’ absence, though they at least have options. They could simply plug in Charlie Heck at left tackle and roll with that, or they could return to the version of the offensive line they used at the start of this season when Wirfs was recovering from a knee injury.

That offensive line saw center Graham Barton move out to left tackle, his position at Duke, and had left guard Ben Bredeson kick inside to center, where he has plenty of NFL experience. That then left Mike Jordan or Luke Haggard to fill in at the guard spots vacated by Bredeson. With Dan Feeney now filling in at right guard, it could be Jordan who plays in Bredeson’s spot if Tampa Bay goes with that offensive line setup.

In addition to Wirfs’ absence, the Bucs will still be without rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Also on the inactives list for Sunday’s game are third quarterback Connor Bazelak, safety Kaevon Merriweather, guard Elijah Klein and defensive lineman Elijah Simmons. Additionally, the team elevated Marcus Banks from the practice squad for this game.

Saints Also Missing Key Contributors For Week 14 vs. Bucs

The 2-10 Saints aren’t coming into Sunday’s game at Raymond James Stadium fully healthy either. They had already ruled starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga and veteran running back Alvin Kamara out for the game ahead of the weekend, so those are two big losses for an already struggling offense.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara and Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

Starting safety Justin Reid had already been ruled out ahead of the weekend, too, which is a blow to the New Orleans defense.

The good news for the Saints, though, is that No. 1 receiver Chris Olave is active for Sunday’s contest. He had been listed as questionable with a back injury, but he is apparently good to go on a rainy Sunday in Tampa.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Saints, who come in looking to avoid a third sweep at the hands of the Bucs in the last four seasons: