Todd Bowles has given the Buccaneers a clearer injury picture for Sunday’s vital game against the Packers, with Baker Mayfield and Benjamin Morrison among those ruled out. The encouraging news is that rookie inside linebacker vJosiah Trotter is expected to return, while YaYa Diaby and Bucky Irving are also expected to suit up.
The biggest headline is Mayfield’s status. He suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand on Sunday, and that injury has now ruled him out for the game against the Packers. In a matchup that already carries real weight, losing the starting quarterback changes the conversation immediately.
Who is out for Sunday?
Bowles ruled out Benjamin Morrison, Rueben Bain, Ko Kieft and Baker Mayfield for Sunday’s game. Greg Auman of FOX Sports was cited on Morrison being out, adding to a list of unavailable players that affects both sides of the ball.
For the Buccaneers, that means a testing afternoon is coming. Quarterback is the obvious concern, but the absences across the roster also reduce the room for error against a Packers team that will be looking to take advantage.
Some help is on the way
There is at least some positive news for the Bucs. Bowles said vJosiah Trotter is expected to return to the lineup, which gives the defense a welcome boost. YaYa Diaby and Bucky Irving are also expected to suit up, so the picture is not entirely bleak.
That does not remove the challenge, though. The Buccaneers are still going into a vital game with key names missing, and Mayfield’s absence in particular makes this a very different assignment. The next question is whether the Bucs can absorb those losses and still give themselves a chance against the Packers on Sunday.
