Ke’Shawn Vaughn back at Bucs practice, but Ronald Jones still sidelined

TAMPA — The Bucs began their initial preparations for this weekend’s regular-season finale hopeful of not having to raid their practice squad for running backs.

Though fourth-year veteran Ronald Jones (ankle) remains in a protective boot, second-year reserve Ke’Shawn Vaughn (ribs) is “fine,” according to head coach Bruce Arians. Both exited during Sunday’s 28-24 victory over the Jets, leaving recent signee Le’Veon Bell as the only healthy back.

“We’ll wait and see if (Jones) can run before the week’s out,” Arians said.

Former Chiefs sixth-round pick Darwin Thompson and 32-year-old NFL journeyman Kenjon Barner are on the Bucs’ practice squad, but Arians suggested neither will be elevated as a running back if Jones can go Sunday afternoon against the Panthers. The Bucs likely won’t have a better handle on Jones’ status until Friday at the earliest.

“It’ll be pretty much walk-through tempo (Wednesday) and (Thursday),” Arians said. “It’s that time of year now, so it’s more mental than it is physical.”

Also not practicing Wednesday were linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, center Ryan Jensen, defensive back Rashard Robinson and receiver Justin Watson.

Punter Bradley Pinion was activated from the COVID-19 list, and guard Aaron Stinnie, who had been on injured reserve, began his 21-day practice period.

Cornerbacks Richard Sherman (Achilles) and Sean Murphy-Bunting, who left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury, also were at practice.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

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