TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS NEWS

Markees Watts - Not returning to action Week 15 Watts (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's battle against the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Watts has been on IR since early October, though he was designated to return Nov. 27. His 21-day practice window closes this coming Tuesday, so Tampa Bay will need to either activate him by then or lose him for the remainder of the campaign. Watts was able to log a trio of full practices this week, so he at least appears to be making progress toward a return.

3 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka - Officially questionable for Sunday Tryon-Shoyinka has been deemed questionable to play Sunday versus the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Tryon-Shoyinka hasn't played since injuring his ankle Week 12 against the Giants. He was able to log a trio of full practices this week, however, which has given him a chance of returning to action Sunday. If Tryon-Shoyinka is able to suit up against Los Angeles, Jose Ramirez could see the small amount of snaps he's been getting the past two weeks dry up.

4 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Kameron Johnson - Not suiting up Week 15 Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Johnson landed on IR in late October. He was designated to return Thursday, but he hasn't ramped up enough to return to game action this week. Johnson will need to be activated from IR before he's able to suit up on gameday again. His next chance to play will be Sunday, Dec. 22 versus Dallas.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Josh Hayes - Could return Sunday Hayes (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Impact Hayes appears to be trending toward suiting up for Sunday's contest, as he upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to a full practice session Friday. The second-year pro from Kansas State is expected to serve as the Bucs' top reserve corner if he can play in Week 15. If not, expect Tyrek Funderburk to see increased work in Tampa Bay's secondary.

7 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tykee Smith - Past knee injury Smith (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Impact Smith played through his knee injury in Tampa Bay's Week 14 win over the Raiders, recording three total tackles and two passes defended, including one interception, over 43 defensive snaps. His Week 15 status was in doubt following two limited practice sessions; however, he upgraded to a full workload Friday, suggesting that he'll play through his knee injury again Sunday. Expect the rookie from Georgia to serve as Tampa Bay's top slot corner against the Chargers.

7 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Christian Izien - Questionable for Sunday Izien (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

Impact Izien appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Week 15, as he upgraded from limited practice Wednesday and Thursday to a full session Friday. The Rutgers product has been productive in 12 appearances this season, recording 61 total tackles and three passes defended, including one interception. If Izien can play through his groin issue Sunday, he's expected to serve as Tampa Bay's top backup safety and slot corner.

7 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sterling Shepard - Listed as questionable Shepard (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers after returning to practice Friday as a limited participant.

Impact The limited practice Friday represents Shepard's only participation this week, although there hasn't been any indication his foot injury is serious. He got either six or seven targets in each of the past three games, catching 13 of 20 passes for 121 yards in that stretch. If Shepard is declared inactive before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett will be the top candidates to take on extra WR snaps.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mike Evans - Cleared for Sunday Evans (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Impact Evans followed the same pattern as last week, returning to practice Friday as a limited participant after missing the prior sessions. His lack of reps seems to be a matter of maintenance rather than inspired by genuine concern about his game availability, considering he took 85 percent of snaps on offense in last week's 28-13 win over the Raiders. Evans should again be busy Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bucky Irving - Questionable after limited practice Irving (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers after returning to practice Friday as a limited participant.

Impact The designation was expected after coach Todd Bowles said earlier Friday that Irving will go through a pre-game workout before the Buccaneers decide on his active status. That's not ideal for fantasy managers, especially ahead of a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but there are at least more late-afternoon and primetime games than usual this week, which expands the pool of replacement options if Irving is deemed inactive. Rachaad White will lead Tampa Bay's backfield if Irving doesn't play, with Sean Tucker getting some touches off the bench.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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12 HOURS AGO

K.J. Britt - Won't play Sunday Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Britt (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Britt injured his ankle Week 13 versus the Panthers and will now miss his second consecutive game while working to rehab. With Britt unavailable, J.J. Russell (hamstring) could get a chance to enter the starting lineup, if he can get healthy. Otherwise, that opportunity will figure to go to Vi Jones.

13 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mike Edwards - Ruled out for Week 15 Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Edwards (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Edwards' hamstring injury will force him to miss a second straight game. With Antoine Winfield (knee) also officially out for Week 15, Tampa Bay's defense will be without both its top safeties. That puts Kaevon Merriweather and Christian Izien (groin), if healthy, both in line for expanded roles Sunday against Los Angeles.

13 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bucky Irving - Potential game-time decision Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles suggested Friday that Irving (back/hip) may be a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official sit...

Impact Bowles said the team wants to put Irving through a pre-game workout before making a decision on his active status. A 'questionable' designation on the final injury report now seems likely, with fantasy managers potentially headed for a tricky situation ahead of a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

13 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bucky Irving - Not seen during practice Irving (back/hip) didn't participate in the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Irving worked with a trainer on the field before practice but then went inside once the session started. Auman notes that it's possible Irving returned to practice once it was closed off to reporters, although the more likely outcome is that the running back simply didn't participate. Irving played through a hip injury last week against the Raiders, only to make an early exit in the second quarter due to back tightness. He never returned to the game and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday.

14 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mike Evans - Returns to practice Evans (hamstring) returned to practice Friday morning, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Evans had the same routine last week, sitting out Wednesday and Thursday before participating Friday. He then avoided a designation on the final injury report and handled his normal workload in a 28-13 win over the Raiders, catching four of five targets for 69 yards while playing 85 percent of snaps on offense. It remains to be seen if he follows the same pattern this week for a road game against the Chargers.

14 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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