Smith (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Smith has played through a knee issue over the Buccaneers' last two games, logging four tackles (three solo) and two pass defenses (including one interception) over that span. Unless his practice participation is downgraded over the next two days, the rookie third-rounder should be able to play against the Cowboys on Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Still working through groin injury
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Izien (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Izien played through a groin injury during the Bucs' Week 15 win over the Chargers and finished with one solo tackle across 40 defensive snaps. He'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against Dallas.
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Buccaneers' Mike Edwards: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Edwards (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Edwards has been sidelined for the Bucs' last two games due to a hamstring strain he suffered in Week 13 against the Panthers. His return to practice Wednesday indicates he is progressing in his recovery, and Edwards will have two more chances to increase his practice participation this week ahead of Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield: DNP to open week
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Winfield (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
A lengthy absence for the Pro Bowl safety was expected after suffering a knee injury during the Buccaneers' Week 14 win over the Raiders. Unless he returns to practice this week, it appears unlikely that Winfield would be able to play against the Cowboys on Sunday. Kaevon Merriweather and Christian Izien (groin) would be slated to serve as the Bucs' starting safeties if both Winfield and Mike Edwards (hamstring) were to be sidelined.
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Buccaneers' K.J. Britt: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Britt (ankle) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.
Britt has been sidelined for Tampa Bay's last two games due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 13 against Carolina. He has been unable to practice since the injury, and he'll have to return to the field over the next two days in order to have a chance at playing against the Cowboys on Sunday. In the 11 games prior to his injury, Britt registered 66 tackles (35 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one pass defense.
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Buccaneers' Markees Watts: Unlikely to be activated off IR
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Head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Watts (knee) is likely to remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2024 season, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Watts' 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened Nov. 27, but it appears there isn't room on the 53-man roster for the 25-year-old linebacker. As such, Watts will be forced to remain on the Buccaneers' IR for the rest of the 2024 season, including the playoffs should Tampa Bay qualify. Should that be the case, Watts will end his 2024 campaign with zero tackles across five regular-season games.
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Buccaneers' Logan Hall: Adds to career-best sack tally
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Hall furnished two tackles (one solo), including 1.5 sacks, and was credited with two total quarterback hits in the Buccaneers' 40-17 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Hall made good use of his 29 snaps on defense, bringing down Justin Herbert for a five-yard loss on the last play of the first half before sharing a second sack of the star signal-caller with Lavonte David just past the halfway point of the fourth quarter. The third-year defensive lineman is up to a career-best 4.5 sacks this season among his 21 total tackles across 13 regular-season games.
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Buccaneers' Jamel Dean: Snags first INT since '22
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Dean recorded three tackles (two solo), an interception and an additional pass defensed in the Buccaneers' 40-17 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Dean snapped a near two-season interception drought -- his last regular-season pick came in Week 2 of the 2022 season -- when he snagged a Justin Herbert deep shot intended for Quentin Johnston with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. The INT was also significant since it snapped Herbert's streak of 335 consecutive pass attempts without a pick, and it ultimately led to a Mike Evans 35-yard touchdown grab. Dean is now just eight tackles shy of eclipsing the career-high 62 he generated back in 2020, although he's only totaled as many as five once in the last five contests.
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Buccaneers' Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: Five tackles in return
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Tryon-Shoyinka posted five tackles (four solo) in the Buccaneers' 40-17 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Tryon-Shoyinka generated a solid performance in his return from a two-game absence due to an ankle injury. The fourth-year edge rusher's tackle total was a new season high, but Tryon-Shoyinka remains a middling IDP option with a modest 23 tackles (14 solo), including 2.0 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble across 12 regular-season games.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Standout performance in win
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David supplied 12 tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 sacks, and was credited with three total quarterback hits in the Buccaneers' 40-17 over the Chargers on Sunday.
David comfortably led the Buccaneers on stops on the afternoon with a figure that was also his highest since the divisional-round loss to the Lions in January. The veteran linebacker is turning in top-notch play down the stretch, as he's recorded at least eight tackles in five of the last seven contests. David's 1.5 sacks also pushed his season total to 5.5, his best mark since way back in the 2013 season.
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Buccaneers' Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: Will play versus Chargers
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Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) was listed as active ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Tryon-Shoyinka missed the last two contests with an ankle sprain that he suffered Week 12 versus the Giants. The 25-year-old will now return and reprise his role as one of Tampa Bay's starting outside linebackers. Across 11 appearances this season, Tryon-Shoyinka has logged 1 tackles and two sacks.
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Buccaneers' J.J. Russell: Will suit up Sunday
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Russell is considered active ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers.
Russell missed last week's win against the Raiders due to a hamstring injury. The third-year pro suited up for the previous 12 games for Tampa Bay, totaling 22 tackles. He's also seen increased playing time on defense recently, peaking at 60 percent of defensive snaps played Week 13 versus Carolina.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Will play versus Chargers
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Izien (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Izien was limited with a groin injury during practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he'll be ready to suit up for his 13th game this season. The second-year pro has totaled 61 tackles and one interception so far this season. He should continue serving as the Buccaneers' top backup safety and slot corner.
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Buccaneers' Josh Hayes: Ready to play Sunday
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Hayes (hamstring) was deemed active ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers.
Hayes missed last week's win against the Raiders with a hamstring injury and did not return to practice in full until Friday. Across 11 appearances this season, the 25-year-old has tallied 20 tackles and three passes defended. He will now reprise his role as Tampa Bay's primary reserve cornerback while also working on special teams.
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Buccaneers' Markees Watts: Not returning to action Week 15
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Watts (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's battle against the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Watts has been on IR since early October, though he was designated to return Nov. 27. His 21-day practice window closes this coming Tuesday, so Tampa Bay will need to either activate him by then or lose him for the remainder of the campaign. Watts was able to log a trio of full practices this week, so he at least appears to be making progress toward a return.
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Buccaneers' Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: Officially questionable for Sunday
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Tryon-Shoyinka has been deemed questionable to play Sunday versus the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Tryon-Shoyinka hasn't played since injuring his ankle Week 12 against the Giants. He was able to log a trio of full practices this week, however, which has given him a chance of returning to action Sunday. If Tryon-Shoyinka is able to suit up against Los Angeles, Jose Ramirez could see the small amount of snaps he's been getting the past two weeks dry up.
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Buccaneers' Tykee Smith: Past knee injury
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Smith (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.
Smith played through his knee injury in Tampa Bay's Week 14 win over the Raiders, recording three total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception, over 43 defensive snaps. His Week 15 status was in doubt following two limited practice sessions; however, he upgraded to a full workload Friday, suggesting that he'll play through his knee injury again Sunday. Expect the rookie from Georgia to serve as Tampa Bay's top slot corner against the Chargers.
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Buccaneers' Christian Izien: Questionable for Sunday
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Izien (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.
Izien appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Week 15, as he upgraded from limited practice Wednesday and Thursday to a full session Friday. The Rutgers product has been productive in 12 appearances this season, recording 61 total tackles and three passes defended, including one interception. If Izien can play through his groin issue Sunday, he's expected to serve as Tampa Bay's top backup safety and slot corner.
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Buccaneers' K.J. Britt: Won't play Sunday
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Britt (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Britt injured his ankle Week 13 versus the Panthers and will now miss his second consecutive game while working to rehab. With Britt unavailable, J.J. Russell (hamstring) could get a chance to enter the starting lineup, if he can get healthy. Otherwise, that opportunity will figure to go to Vi Jones.
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Buccaneers' Mike Edwards: Ruled out for Week 15
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Edwards (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Edwards' hamstring injury will force him to miss a second straight game. With Antoine Winfield (knee) also officially out for Week 15, Tampa Bay's defense will be without both its top safeties. That puts Kaevon Merriweather and Christian Izien (groin), if healthy, both in line for expanded roles Sunday against Los Angeles.
