It's been a tale of two halves in more than one way for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After starting the season 6-1, the Bucs have lost four of their last five and are on the brink of falling out of the playoff picture. Injuries have played a major role in that, which was a theme this week in ways that gave fans whiplash from how drastically things turned.
Baker Mayfield suffered a sprained AC Joint in his non-throwing shoulder during last week's embarrassment in Los Angeles. Rather than miss time, which seemed likely, he'll start less than a week later.
He's not the only player the offense is getting back.
Bucky Irving is making his return to the lineup for the first time in over a month. He's been out with a foot and shoulder injury he suffered in the loss to Philadelphia all the way back in September but is finally ready to come back.
It's a major boost to an offense that hasn't been whole the entire season. Not one single game has seen each of the Bucs' main stars on the field together, but the march toward that tide turning is starting today.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers inactives for Week 13 vs. Cardinals
It's not just the offense that's getting health at the right time. Both Jamel Dean and Haason Reddick are active and expected to play against the Cardinals.
Dean missed last week's game, while Reddick has also been out since the loss to the Eagles. It's hard to overstate how big it is that Reddick is back, as the Bucs pass rush has been lacking all season and now is a perfect time for the team's big free agent signing to start making an impact.
Here's everyone who won't be suiting up for the Bucs today:
Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
Benjamin Morrison | CB | Hamstring |
Luke Haggard | OL | Healthy Scratch |
Elijah Klein | OL | Healthy Scratch |
Elijah Simmons | DL | Healthy Scratch |
Keavon Merriweather | S | Healthy Scratch |
Connor Bazelak | QB | Emergency 3rd String |
Another big addition to the offense is getting lineman Ben Bredeson back. He's not on the inactive list and will be returning to action after missing last Sunday's game.
Arizona isn't an easy out, but the Cardinals are hardly world beaters. If the Bucs want a get-right game, then this Sunday offers a perfect opportunity for that. Wins never come easy in the NFL but the Bucs are starting to trend in the right direction at exactly the right time, and need to make sure to capitlize.