Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucs had a late addition to Friday’s injury report as rookie slot corner Chris Izien did not practice due to an illness. He has been listed as questionable for Sunday. This would be a big concern for the Bucs’ road game against the Texans as they have two talented wide receivers who do well with yards after the catch.

If Izien is unable to go, Tampa Bay would most likely play Dee Delaney or Zyon McCollum in the slot, although McCollum fares better as a outside corner. While there’s cause for concern over Izien, the team had a similar situation in Week 6 when Shaq Barrett was questionable after missing Thursday and Friday’s practice with an illness, but was able to play. Hopefully Izien can recover quick enough from his illness before they fly out for the road trip.

Outside of the surprise from Izien, it was once again status quo for Tampa Bay during Friday’s practice. Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea and Keavon Merriweather were participating. Unavailable for practice once again was Logan Hall and Matt Feiler. After practice, Todd Bowles ruled Hall and Feiler out for Sunday’s contest and said everybody else is “in play.” The Bucs still gave Merriweather and Vea a designation of questionable.

The Texans have their own injury issues to worry about with starting running back Dameon Pierce and wide receiver Robert Woods out. They are two important pieces to the Texans’ offense, who are led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. This gives a big advantage to the Bucs’ defensive unit as the Texas are missing a couple of their better players. Though Hall gets a lot of playing time for the Bucs, having Vea return gives them a gigantic boost up front as Vea faces against a fourth string center. Tampa Bay has struggled generating pressure recently and Vea still leads the team with 3.5 sacks.

Starting at left guard for the second game in a row instead of Feiler will be Aaron Stinnie, who played pretty well last week. Replacing Hall in a starting role for this game will be a committee of Will Gholston, Greg Gaines, Mike Greene and potentially Deadrin Senat or Pat O’Connor from the practice squad. Vea and Calijah Kancey will be starting along the defensive front.

Full Injury Report For Bucs And Texans

Here is the final and full injury report for the Bucs and Texans with the game status for multiple players.

Bucs

G Matt Feiler — Knee — Did Not Participate – Out

DL Logan Hall — Groin — Did Not Participate – Out

S Christian Izien – Illness – Did Not Participate – Questionable

S Kaevon Merriweather — Ankle — Full Participation – Questionable 

NT Vita Vea — Groin — Full Participation – Questionable 

LB Lavonte David – Rest – Did Not Participate

WR Mike Evans – Rest – Did Not Participate

TE Ko Kieft — Ankle — Limited Participation 

QB Baker Mayfield — Knee — Full Participation

T Tristan Wirfs — Quadriceps — Full Participation

Texans

TE Brevin Jordan — Foot — Did Not Participate – Out 

RB Dameon Pierce — Ankle — Did Not Participate – Out 

WR Robert Woods — Foot — Did Not Participate – Out 

DT Sheldon Rankins — Knee — Limited Participation – Questionable 

LB Blake Cashman — Wrist — Full Participation

T George Fant — Foot/Shoulder — Full Participation

CB Ka’dar Hollman — Ankle — Full Participation

T Tytus Howard — Knee — Full Participation

T Josh Jones — Hand — Full Participation

LB Denzel Perryman — Hand/Wrist — Full Participation

CB Tavierre Thomas — Hand — Full Participation

T Laremy Tunsil — Knee — Full Participation

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