The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without outside linebacker Yaya Diaby for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears, while wide receiver Emeka Egbuka remains questionable despite returning to full participation in practice.
According to the Buccaneers' official Friday injury report, Diaby missed all three practices with a knee injury and is Tampa Bay's only player ruled out. His absence gives Rueben Bain Jr., David Walker, and the team's remaining edge rushers additional responsibilities against Caleb Williams and Chicago's offense.
Diaby recorded three sacks against Carolina in Week 7 before he suffered a knee injury against Atlanta. Tampa Bay generated five sacks against Carolina but failed to get one against the Falcons, making its
defensive front's availability an important consideration against a Bears offense capable of extending plays.
Egbuka did not practice Wednesday but participated fully Thursday and Friday, though he remains questionable. He has missed the Buccaneers' last two games, during which Baker Mayfield completed seven passes for 64 yards and one touchdown. Tampa Bay compensated with a dominant rushing attack, but Egbuka's return would give Chicago another receiving option against its secondary.
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs returned to practice Friday after missing Thursday with a toe injury. Wirfs was limited but received no game designation, and head coach Todd Bowles said he expects him to play Sunday. Safety Tykee Smith also returned to full participation Friday after being limited earlier in the week, while Mayfield practiced all week fully despite his right thumb injury.
Chicago listed three players as questionable: running back Kyle Monangai, defensive back Malik Muhammad II and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson Sr. Monangai returned to limited practice Friday after missing the previous two sessions, while Muhammad remained limited throughout the week. Stevenson was added to the report Friday with a thumb injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury report
Chicago Bears injury report
DNP = did not practice. A dash indicates a player was not listed for that practice or has no final game designation.
The Buccaneers enter Sunday at 3-5 following consecutive victories over Carolina and Atlanta, while the Bears are 6-2 and have won three straight. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers Week 9 injury report: YaYa Diaby ruled out vs. Bears
