Early bye weeks typically aren’t ideal, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ Week 5 bye came in handy due to the various injuries the team has experienced through the first four weeks of the season.
And sure enough, the extra time off has allowed multiple, key players to heal up for Sunday’s big matchup against the 4-1 Detroit Lions. Namely, star wideout Mike Evans, who injured his hamstring during the Bucs’ 26-9 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4.
As for star pass rusher Shaquil Barrett, the Bucs will see how he feels on Saturday after he popped up on Thursday’s report with an illness.
“Shaq’s under the weather, we’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters.
Bowles also said Evans will be a “full-go” on Sunday, which is obviously huge when facing a defense that’s as tough as the one the Lions possess.
Per Pewter Report ‘s Matt Matera, first-round rookie Calijah Kancey, cornerback Jamel Dean, safety Ryan Neal, tackle Luke Goedeke, and EDGE Anthony Nelson were all seen practicing on Friday, which means they should all be good to go on Sunday.
We will provide more updates once the Bucs release their official injury report at 4pm ET.