The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will see the return of two key wide receivers, Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka, for their Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions. Both players are officially active for the game.
Player Updates for the Buccaneers
Mike Evans has missed the past three games due to a hamstring injury. Emeka Egbuka, while not missing any games, was limited during the second half of last week’s victory against the San Francisco 49ers because of a similar injury. Egbuka currently leads the Buccaneers with 27 receptions, accumulating 469 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Injuries Impacting the Buccaneers
Despite the return of Evans and Egbuka, the Buccaneers will be without several notable players:
- Chris Godwin: Inactive due to a fibula injury.
- Bucky Irving: Starting running back remains out as he recovers from foot and shoulder injuries.
- Luke Haggard: Inactive with a shoulder issue after starting the last four games at right guard.
- Defensive lineman C.J. Brewer: Inactive.
- Safety Sebastian Castro: Inactive.
- Cornerback Kindle Vildor: Inactive.
- Running back Josh Williams: Inactive due to a concussion.
Defensive Reinforcements for the Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ defense will benefit from the returns of cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison. McCollum is back after a thumb procedure, while Morrison returns from a two-game absence due to a hamstring issue.
Lions’ Inactive Players
The Detroit Lions will face their own challenges with multiple starters unavailable:
- Terrion Arnold: Inactive due to a shoulder injury.
- Avonte Maddox: Inactive with a hamstring injury.
- Kerby Joseph: All-Pro safety, inactive due to a knee injury.
- Brian Branch: Starting safety is out because of a one-game suspension.
- Sione Vaki: Inactive with a groin injury.
- Quinton Jefferson: Defensive lineman, inactive.
- Jammie Robinson: Safety, inactive.
- Mekhi Wingo: Defensive lineman, inactive.
As both teams prepare for the matchup, the return of Evans and Egbuka may significantly impact the Buccaneers’ performance against a Lions squad dealing with significant player absences.
