For the first time in what seems like forever, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received some positive injury updates about a few key players leading up to Week 13.
Wait, that's allowed to happen?!
Jamel Dean was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a hip injury he sustained in Week 11. He exited early against the Bills a couple of weeks ago and didn't practice last week. Greg Auman reported that Dean will play on Sunday if practice goes well, which is good news for the secondary.
If Dean returns, that's a massive boost that the Bucs desperately need. Dean has played exceptionally this season and is posting career highs in multiple categories. His 44% completion percentage against almost leads the NFL, and he's proving his offseason contract restructure was a huge mistake by Bucs' GM Jason Licht.
Throughout the three-game losing streak, the Bucs' secondary has struggled. This was highlighted in Week 12 when Davante Adams dominated cornerback Zyon McCollum in humiliating fashion. If Dean returns in Week 13, the Bucs' pass defense will drastically improve at just the right time.
While only practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday, it was good to see Haason Reddick back at practice. Reddick hasn't practiced in over a month since his ankle and knee injuries sustained in Week 7 against the Lions.
The 31-year-old is on the back half of his career, but he provides a stable presence amongst a struggling pass rush. The Bucs have two sacks during the three-game losing streak, something Reddick has specialized in throughout his career, despite backtracking this season. We'll have to wait and see if Reddick will play on Sunday, but things are finally starting to materialize.
Two other key Buccaneers players are starting to get healthy
Rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, but Auman speculates he likely won't play due to his hamstring injury. The second-round rookie has been out since Week 11 and failed to practice last week. Through his short tenure in Tampa Bay, Morrison has been injured multiple times, but played well when healthy.
Through seven games, Morrison has allowed a 61% completion percentage and has three passes defended. There are still two days of practice remaining, but things don't look good for Morrison this week.
The Bucs starting guard was injured in Week 11 against the Patriots and has been limited in practice since last Thursday. Tampa Bay listed Ben Bredeson as a limited participant again on Wednesday, but he's trending toward starting on Sunday.
Bucs guard Ben Bredeson, who has missed two games with a hamstring, looks to be back and full-go at practice and in play to return Sunday.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 26, 2025
Bredeson has played well this season, but mostly blocking for the pass. He's ranked 8th in pass block grade by PFF, but bottom five in run blocking. Through nine games, Bredeson has just one holding penalty, a stat he struggled with the last two seasons. As of Wednesday, it looks like Bredeson will be back in the lineup this Sunday against the Cardinals.