The Bucs received some good news Monday morning as defensive end Vita Vea will play against the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Vea tweaked his hamstring during practice on Saturday and did not participate, but Pewter Report was told the team held him out of practice more as a precaution than anything else.
In case you missed it over the weekend, the Bucs removed the injury designation for wide receiver Mike Evans, who missed some practice time with a hamstring injury suffered in New Orleans. He will be a full participant against the Ravens on Monday night. Evans also had a minor knee injury, but played through it.
Bucs DTs Vita Vea and Will Gholston and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
The broad good news continues as Trey Palmer has been cleared to return from a concussion and participated in practice this week. Although he was listed as questionable on the final injury report, Palmer will play against Baltimore where offensive coordinator Liam Quinn is expected to rotate him at No. 3 wide receiver alongside veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Jalen McMillan.
The Bucs’ wide receiver position is back to almost full strength. The only injured receiver who will not play Monday night will be rookie Cameron Johnson, who missed practice — and last week’s game — with an ankle injury.
Other news about Box’s injury
Although Tampa Bay did not need him in a stunning 51-27 win over New Orleans last week, starting running back Rashad White will be available Monday against Baltimore. White suffered a sprained ankle during the team’s 36-30 overtime loss to Atlanta and missed last week’s game.
Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving helped the team rush for 277 yards and Tucker won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors with 192 yards of total offense and two touchdowns against the Saints. The Whites will at least get a series, according to offensive coordinator Liam Quinn, who plans to use all three running backs on Monday night and then move on for the rest of the game.
Box TE Devin Culp – Photo: Cliff Welsh/PR
The only three Bucs players ruled out of Monday’s game against the Ravens are wide receiver Cameron Johnson, cornerback Jamaal Dean and tight end Payne Durham. Tyrek Funderburk, an undrafted free agent cornerback, is expected to start in Dean’s place. He has seen significant playing time since the first quarter in New Orleans last week.
Rookie Devin Kolb is expected to be active for the first time this season and will see some playing time with Payne out. Veteran Ko Kieft will likely move to the No. 2 tight end and Culp will serve as the No. 3 tight end on Monday night.
Midfielder Graham Barton missed last week’s game in New Orleans with a hamstring strain, but returned to practice this week and is expected to start Monday night.
Wide receiver Rakim Garrett and defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV remain in their 21-day return-to-practice window and are not expected to play against the Ravens.
