Buccaneers Defense Faces Absences, but Cleared Players Ready for Match against Lions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense will have to soldier on without some key contributors in their Week Two game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. However, the team received a boost as three players who were listed as questionable for the game have been cleared to play.

Defensive lineman Logan Hall, cornerback Zyon McCollum, and nickel back Tykee Smith were all questionable due to injuries and illness. Hall, who missed the Buccaneers' season opener due to a foot injury sustained in practice, practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. McCollum, who was in the concussion protocol, exited it on Saturday. Meanwhile, Smith, who was dealing with an illness, did not practice on those two days.

In unfortunate news, the Bucs' defense will be without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who is sidelined with a foot injury, and 2023 first-round pick defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, who is nursing a calf injury. Additionally, reserve cornerback Josh Hayes is unavailable due to an ankle injury, and cornerback Bryce Hall has been placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

On the offensive side, the Buccaneers will be without their starting right tackle, Luke Goedeke. In his absence, Justin Skule will step in and make his first start with the team.

The Buccaneers and Lions announced their list of inactives 90 minutes prior to kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit. With the elevation of defensive linemen C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene from the practice squad, the Buccaneers had to name seven inactives to comply with the game-day limit of 48.

The Lions also had to name seven players inactive, as they elevated wideouts Tom Kennedy and Tim Patrick for the game.

The Buccaneers will look to overcome the absence of some key defensive players as they take on the Lions, while their cleared players will be ready to contribute to the team's efforts.