The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' official Friday injury report – the first one of the week with game-status designations – includes a pair of cornerbacks who missed last week's game and one new player who is considered "questionable:" starting right tackle Jeremy Trueblood.
Cornerbacks E.J. Biggers (foot) and Anthony Gaitor (hamstring) are both listed as "doubtful" on the report, so it is almost certain both players will miss their second straight game. Less certain is the status of Trueblood, who played in the season opener and began the second week of work without issue before suffering an ankle injury on the practice field on Wednesday.
Trueblood took part in the second and third practices of the week but only on a limited basis. Head Coach Greg Schiano said he expects Trueblood to continue improving each day but doesn't yet know if he will be able to suit up on Sunday against the New York Giants. That makes the weekend an important evaluation period for the seventh-year lineman.
If Trueblood is unable to play against the Giants, fourth-year man Demar Dotson would likely make his first career regular-season start as part of the O-Line (he opened two games last year as an extra blocking tight end). Dotson started three games at left tackle during the 2012 preseason while Donald Penn recovered from a calf injury and drew strong reviews from Schiano and his staff.
Trueblood's fellow starter on the Bucs' offensive front, left guard Carl Nicks, is also on Friday's injury report with a toe ailment. However, Nicks is considered "probable" to play and was able to participate fully in Friday's practice.
Wide receiver Arrelious Benn and running back LeGarrette Blount, both probable to play, round out the Bucs' injury report. Blount has practiced the last two days after it was determined that the injury he suffered against Carolina was a stinger and not something more significant. Benn appears ready to see his first game action since suffering a knee injury on the first day of training camp. In addition to his contributions to the passing attack, Benn is expected to help considerably in the kicking game.
"I think [Benn] is a really good special teams player," said Schiano. "We need his speed, size and athleticism. That's going to help. I hope that there are a lot of ways you are going to see him on the field. I do [expect him to play], as long as he feels well. Definitely, we have been working him."
The Giants have already ruled out reserve defensive end Adewale Ojomo and are considering weakside linebacker Keith Rivers doubtful, both due to hamstring injuries. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is labeled as questionable after not practicing on Friday. Cornerback Prince Amukamara (ankle) is also listed as questionable, but that's a step in the right direction for the 2011 first-round pick after he sat out the season opener.
