Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

The Buccaneers have been ravaged by injuries to key players this year and we’re not even to the 10th week of the season yet. Three key players are on IR with a fourth designated for return in Anthony Gaitor. Four Bucs show up on the final injury report this week, but all are expected to play.

The biggest name on the list is Eric Wright if only because he’s now the Bucs No. 1 cornerback. Brandon McDonald, despite his struggles, is also significant as both injuries are lower body injuries. The Raiders don’t have a lights out receiving corps but they’ll take any advantage they can get.

Bennett was also a question mark after tweaking his ankle in garbage time against the Vikings on Monday. But the upside of playing on Thursday was the Bucs had 10 full days to heal and rest up, which is a big reason why there was not one player with a status lower than probable on the injury report.

Note the lack of Vincent Jackson’s name on the report. He’d been showing up the last few weeks with that calf injury but it appears that injury is now behind him.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

Last week the Bucs listed two guys on their injury report, but after a short week and a long travel, five guys show up on the Buccaneers injury report this week. All but Brandon McDonald look like they’ll play no matter what, but how effective they will be is still in question.

We all brushed off Vincent Jackson’s calf injury on Sunday but it proved to be an issue on his 95 yard reception that ended a few yards short of a touchdown. That calf changed the outcome of the game, as if Jackson scores, the game is tied 28-28 at that point and the Bucs last minute drive might not be needed, or may only need to end in a field goal.

Carl Nicks looked fine, but he too shows up on the injury list with that foot injury.

New additions to the report include cornerback Brandon McDonald, the only questionable player, as well as linebacker Adam Hayward and center Jeremy Zuttah.

Zuttah left Sunday’s loss to the Saints, but appeared to be fine and that should bode well for him on Thursday night. Hayward’s absence won’t be severe if he doesn’t play, but all bodies will be needed to top the Vikings. The big question will be ability, as we saw that even if a guy can play with an injury, it can still effect the outcome of the game.