The Buccaneers may get defensive end Robert Ayers back in the lineup for the first time since Week Two.
Ayers has been sidelined by an ankle injury, but was able to progress to a full practice on Friday after getting in limited sessions the first two days of the week. While Ayers spent the week trending toward a return to action, things went a different way for defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
McCoy wasn’t on the injury report on Wednesday, but was listed as a limited participant the last two days with a calf injury. He’s questionable to play against the Raiders on Sunday and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald will miss his third straight game, so Ayers’ return would be all the more welcome up front.
Running back Doug Martin is also out. His hamstring injury has now kept him out of five straight games and leaves Jacquizz Rodgers as the top running back again this week.