Advertisement

Vita Vea, Jamel Dean, Carl Nassib out vs. Bengals

LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a game-time decision but the Bucs are short on edge rushers.
 
Published Dec. 16, 2022|Updated Dec. 17, 2022

TAMPA — Creating a pass rush off the edge against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could be a problem for the Bucs on Sunday.

Coach Todd Bowles said his team will be without outside linebackers Carl Nassib (pectoral injury) and Genard Avery (abdomen/oblique) while Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (hip) is a game-time decision.

“We’re extremely thin,” Bowles said of the outside linebacker position. “We worked a couple people there this week.”

With so many injuries at the position, the Bucs could elevate Charles Snowden from the practice squad. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Snowden was undrafted out of Virginia and was activated for one game from the Bears’ practice squad last season.

He was signed to the Bucs’ practice squad Nov. 8.

“He’s got length. He’s got athleticism,” Bowles said of Snowden. ”He’s still young in the system understanding some things. If he does play, we have to tweak some things for him so he can play fast.”

Bowles said the Bucs will be without cornerback Jamel Dean (toe) and defensive tackle Vita Vea, who has missed the entire week of practice with a calf injury he sustained early in the first quarter at San Francisco last weekend.

The Bucs could have both starting safeties, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards ― along with cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting ― back in the lineup. But Bowles said they all will be game-time decisions.

Winfield (ankle), Edwards (hamstring) and Murphy-Bunting (quad) were practicing during the portion open to the media Friday.

Offensively, the Bucs received a little bit of good news when receiver Julio Jones, who had not practiced all week due to a recurring knee injury, appeared to be working in a limited capacity.

Tackle Tristan Wirfs, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury, practiced for the third day on a limited basis.

• • •

Sign up for the Bucs RedZone newsletter to get updates and analysis on the latest team and NFL news from Bucs beat writer Joey Knight.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.