The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already aware that they will have to face the Indianapolis Colts without Lavonte David and Jamel Dean, but things could get worse on Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) have the advantage of playing in the NFC South Division, which allows them a lot of leeway in terms of how many games a club can lose and still be competitive.
Week 12 presents the Buccaneers with a good opportunity in a winnable contest against the Indianapolis Colts (5-5).
With the New Orleans Saints (5-5) hosting the Atlanta Falcons (4-6) this weekend, one of the NFC South clubs ahead of Tampa Bay will lose – or is very likely to lose – and a draw between the two would favor coach Todd Bowles’ side.
However, a defeat versus the Colts eliminates that benefit, which is made more likely by the absences of linebacker Lavonte David (groin) and cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle/foot).
If missing those two wasn’t awful enough, three players who are now labeled as questionable are also in danger of missing this weekend’s crucial game.
“Everybody else will be game-time decisions,” Bowles said, referring to cornerback Carlton Davis III (hip), linebacker Devin White (foot), defensive tackle Mike Greene (calf), and defensive end Logan Hall, who all missed Friday’s practice due to illness.
Of course, Davis and White are the most troubling of the four, but with key defenders already out, the Buccaneers would like to have as many available as possible.
While Bowles stated that everything will be decided on game day, he still had to address specifics concerning White and Davis.
“He was running about today. It all comes down to how he feels on Sunday. On Friday, Bowles said of White, “He’ll be a game-time decision.”
“Same thing — he did some things today, too,” Davis says. We’ll work them all out and see how they feel on Sunday.”
David and Dean, according to Bowles, are “day-to-day [or] week-to-week…He’ll play when he gets healthy.”
Those looking for an improvement in Tampa Bay’s playoff chances will cross their fingers this weekend that at least White and Davis are able to play against the Colts.
The Buccaneers will next approach the crucial month of December in the NFL, hoping that ‘week-to-week’ becomes just one week and the team can be healthier in the win/loss column and on the field in Week 13 against the rudderless Carolina Panthers (1-9).
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