Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) hits Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in the helment during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ruled out five players for their NFC South game on Thursday night against the host Atlanta Falcons.
All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) as well as right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion), defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) and wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) will not play in the short week for the Bucs (3-1) against the Falcons (2-2), the team confirmed Wednesday.
“We knew we had a Thursday (game),” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said after Wednesday morning’s practice. “I’m sure it makes it harder for the guys that wanted to play that could’ve played if it were probably Sunday — a couple of them. But we’ll go with what we’ve got, we’ve been going with what we’ve got. We’ve got guys that stepped up, they’ve got to step up again.”
Goedeke was listed as a limited participant on Monday and Tuesday, while the other four did not practice.
Winfield, 26, and Goedeke, 25, started in the season-opening victory over the Washington Commanders. Winfield made seven tackles and neither missed a snap on their sides of the line. They will miss their fourth straight game.
Rookie McMillan, 22, started the first three games before missing the 33-16 victory over the host Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He has three receptions on six targets for 59 yards and one touchdown.
Palmer, 23, has played in four games (one start) and has four receptions on six targets for 45 yards and one TD.
Kancey, 23, started all 14 games he played as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2023 and had 26 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. He has not played in a game this season.
The Buccaneers are also placing linebacker SirVocea Dennis (shoulder) on injured reserve, Bowles said. Dennis, 24, has 22 tackles, including one sack, in four games as a reserve this season.
–Field Level Media
