The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be getting some much-needed help back on defense in Week 4, but there are still plenty of questions heading into Sunday's matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter was limited in Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury after missing Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. did not participate, with Diaby listed with calf and shoulder injuries and Bain dealing with groin and shoulder injuries.
Despite the lengthy injury report, head coach Todd Bowles offered some encouraging news on Trotter and Diaby.
Trotter missed the first two practices leading up to the Vikings game before returning in a limited capacity Friday. He was ultimately
ruled out, but was able to do more when the Bucs returned to practice Wednesday.
"He did everything today. We'll see tomorrow when we put shoulder pads on…I'll have a better feel," Bowles said.
Getting Trotter back would be a welcome addition for a defense that had to adjust without him against Minnesota. SirVocea Dennis started in his place, but Tampa Bay split the work between Dennis and Christian Rozeboom. Rozeboom finished with 30 defensive snaps compared to 19 for Dennis.
Diaby's situation is a little different. He played against Minnesota but was held out of Wednesday's practice while dealing with calf and shoulder injuries. "Yaya, we think, will be okay," Bowles said when asked about Diaby and Bain.
That doesn't guarantee Diaby will be available against Green Bay, but Bowles' assessment is an encouraging sign as Tampa Bay moves through the rest of the practice week.
There is considerably more uncertainty surrounding Bain. The rookie missed Week 3 with a groin injury and did not practice Wednesday. He is now listed with both groin and shoulder injuries, and Bowles acknowledged the shoulder remains a concern.
"Rueben, we're still trying to decide, and we'll see at the end of the week where he is," Bowles said. When specifically asked whether Bain's shoulder was still a concern, Bowles responded, "That's still a concern as well."
Tampa Bay managed to hold Minnesota to 230 total yards without Trotter and Bain, but getting healthier would give Bowles more options as his defense prepares for Jordan Love and the Packers.
For now, Trotter appears to be making progress, and Bowles believes Diaby will be okay. Bain remains the biggest question of the three, with the rest of the practice week likely providing a much clearer picture of who Tampa Bay will have available Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs get mixed injury news on three key defenders before Week 4
