A half-game separates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the top spot in the NFC South. Tampa Bay's Week 9 opponent, the Chicago Bears, have been dominant through the first half of the season, and the Buccaneers need to find a way to get a win.
One key for Tampa is the health of the team. The Buccaneers have been missing key players who have been banged up. Now, they may be close to having their complete starting roster on hand.
After an ugly rainy victory in Week 8, the Buccaneers are hoping that Sunday night will bring them a little smoother sailing. It will start with a couple of players coming off the injury report.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for good news on the injury front
Tristan Wirfs is expected to play in Week 9
After not practicing on Thursday, Wirfs was back on the field with the first- team unit on Friday. Buccaneers fans can breathe easy after Todd Bowles confirmed all signs point to him being ready for Sunday night.
The Bucs need him up front to block in the running game, but more importantly, to keep pressure off Baker Mayfield.
The Buccaneers' front line is going to be tested by the Bears, who traded for Jeffrey Simmons a week ago. Last weekend, Simmons made an immediate impact on the Bears' defense with six tackles, five pressures and a sack.
Emeka Egbuka is questionable against the Bears
The Buccaneers' top WR has missed the last two games, and his absence has hurt the production of the offense. It's unclear if he will be back on the field this week or not, but he returned to practice, which is a good sign. The Buccaneers will likely make a final decision an hour before the game.
For Egbuka, everything will depend on how he feels after Friday's practice and Sunday's warmups. The Buccaneers' passing game has been stagnant without the number one WR on the field. If he can return this week it will give the Buccaneers one of their top weapons.
Yaya Diaby is the only Buccaneers player ruled out
There is still no timetable for Diaby's return, and while being without him isn't ideal, he is the only player listed as out on the Friday report. The Bucs need to get the playmaker back on the field quickly.
Chicago will enter this week 1/2 game down from the NFC North-leading Vikings. The 6-2 Bears are firing on all cylinders, so having a healthy Buccaneers team is imperative, and luckily, they seem to be getting healthy at the perfect time.
Hopefully, getting Egbuka back will help Mayfield, who has been disappointing this season, at least when he has been healthy.
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