Buccaneers activate Devin White, Steve McLendon from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Washington Football Team 31-23 this past Saturday night and will have revenge on their minds as they prepare to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday. 

Tampa Bay's defense should be more whole for that matchup. 

As Jenna Laine of ESPN explained, the Buccaneers have activated star linebacker Devin White and defensive lineman Steve McLendon off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Both men missed the regular-season finale and the win at Washington but should be good to go at New Orleans. 

White finished Week 17 first on the Bucs with 140 tackles and second on the team with nine sacks. McLendon is a veteran run-stopper who Tampa Bay acquired from the New York Jets in October. 

Unproven commodity Taylor Heinicke started at quarterback for Washington in place of the injured Alex Smith and threw for 306 yards with a touchdown and interception versus the Bucs. Tampa Bay will need to have White at his pass-rushing best against future Hall of Fame signal-caller Drew Brees and a powerful New Orleans offense. 

The Saints swept Tampa Bay in the regular season. 

Additionally, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians told reporters that he has to "wait and see" regarding the status of running back Ronald Jones, who wasn't able to play at Washington because of a quad injury. 

"He looked fine Thursday and Friday," Arians said. "It was sore. And then, I don't know if it was the plane or whatever, but it swelled a little it. He didn't feel like he could open up, so he basically didn't play."