Bucs HC Bowles Gives Updates On Two Key Injuries

The Bucs have dealt with quite a few injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. There’s been a good bit of bad news, but head coach Todd Bowles had positive updates on two key players after Tuesday’s practice.

Bowles was first asked about right tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has a strained oblique. A major part of the offensive line, Wirfs isn’t someone Tampa Bay can afford to miss for long — if at all. It sounds like that doesn’t have to be a worry, at least right now. Bowles was asked if he had any concerns about his All-Pro right tackle’s availability for the team’s Sept. 11 season opener in Dallas.

“Right now, no [worries],” Bowles said. “I hear he’s on schedule, so we’ll just take it day by day.”

Bucs S Keanu Neal – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay’s head coach also had positive news to report about veteran safety Keanu Neal. One of Tampa Bay’s newcomers on defense, Neal suffered an arm injury during last week’s joint practices with the Titans in Tennessee.

Like Wirfs, Neal appears to be on track to play when the Bucs travel to Dallas in a couple of weeks.

“He’s coming along pretty good. He should be [ready for Week 1],” Bowles said.

These positive developments come after Mike Evans returned to practice on Monday. Chris Godwin also began participating in team drills in a no-contact jersey, which was a step forward for him. And Russell Gage isn’t far behind either. Slowly but surely, Tampa Bay is getting healthier ahead of the regular season.