The biggest game of the Bucs season happens today, as they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Tampa Bay is trying to improve to 7-1 and put a stranglehold on the NFC South before heading into their Week 9 bye. If they can get a win and stay healthy, it could spell trouble for the rest of the conference. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, reinforcements could return for the Bucs game against Washington in Week 10.
More on the #Bucs, who are getting healthier.
— Antonio Brown is likely back after the bye from foot/heel injuries.
— CBs Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting are also progressing well and could be back after the bye, as well. https://t.co/nndcU30AFt— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2021
Brown will miss his second consecutive game against the Saints, after spraining his ankle in Week 6. The veteran receiver finished the game against the Eagles with nine catches for 93 yards and one touchdown, but hasn’t practiced since. Brown has 29 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns in just five games this season.
As for Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting, the Bucs have been playing without them for weeks. Murphy-Bunting grotesquely dislocated his elbow in Week 1 against the Cowboys, while Davis injured his quad in Week 4. Both players are currently on injured reserve, but Rapoport is indicating they could be back in Week 10. That game will occur on November 14, two weeks from Tampa Bay’s game against the Saints.
The Bucs have yet to play a game with their full starting secondary this season, yet are 6-1. Brown has also missed three games this season, making it just five contests with the best trio of receivers in the NFL. Tampa Bay has won all five of those games.