By Tiffany Williams –
The Falcons and Buccaneers are limping into Thursday night like two teams trying to survive a street fight with duct tape, adrenaline, and whatever’s left in the trainer’s room.
Atlanta’s report looks like a grocery list of “please don’t let this get worse.” Drake London hasn’t practiced all week with a knee issue, which should set off every alarm in Georgia because this offense without him is like a car without a steering wheel. Brandon Dorlus, KhaDarel Hodge, Chris Lindstrom, David Onyemata, Kyle Pitts, A.J. Terrell, and Jalon Walker are all stuck in Limited Participation purgatory. Half the roster is basically playing Operation with their own injury chart. The Falcons didn’t even actually practice Monday or Tuesday, so these are estimated listings—meaning the real situation might be even messier when bodies start moving at full speed.
Tampa Bay isn’t exactly riding in healthy and confident either. Ben Bredeson didn’t practice with a knee injury, Cade Otton is in the same boat, and SirVocea Dennis is stuck on the sideline. Tykee Smith missing both days doesn’t help a secondary already held together with athletic tape and prayer. Haason Reddick finally got on the field in a limited capacity, which is something, but not nearly the level of juice Tampa signed him for. Christian Izien’s neck issue kept him out Monday, and even with limited work Tuesday, that’s a concern for a team already thin at the back end.
The big names? Mike Evans is grinding through a collarbone injury with limited work, Chris Godwin is bouncing back with a full participation Tuesday, and Baker Mayfield is letting everyone know that a left shoulder problem isn’t stopping him—full participation across the board. Evans at less than 100 percent changes everything for Tampa’s offense, but Godwin leveling up to full speed is a badly needed counterbalance.
The Bucs’ rookies—Bucky Irving, Benjamin Morrison, Jalen McMillan, Rashad Wisdom—are all pushing through like they’re trying to convince the coaching staff they’re too young to feel pain. Full participation for most of them, limited but steady for McMillan.
This game is shaping up like a Thursday night special: two bruised, battered teams staggering into prime time, each just hoping their stars can tape themselves together long enough to get through four quarters without setting the medical tent on fire.
If Thursday night games are usually about survival, this one already looks like the football version of a WWE ladder match where everyone’s starting the night already halfway beaten up. Buckle in.
Sports Insider Daily 