Defensive end Vinny Curry has sat out of practice all week, so the fact that he has been ruled out for Sunday didn't really come as a surprise. Curry had been battling an ankle injury that kept him out two weeks prior to his return in Charlotte as the Bucs fell to the Panthers last Sunday. He suffered a setback during the game that has kept him off the practice field since.
"These guys, they try hard to get back," Head Coach Dirk Koetter said of Curry. "Sometimes they try to come back too quick and they relapse on it. Vinny's going to be out this week."
Curry is one of four players for the Buccaneers that were ruled out for Sunday's game on Friday. Both rookie running back Ronald Jones and rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart had been held out of practice all week. Offensive lineman Evan Smith had been limited on Wednesday and
Thursday before sitting out entirely on Friday, therefore his status was a little unexpected. Smith had been used in rotation at right guard with Caleb Benenoch, so the Bucs won't have as much flexibility at that position come Sunday.
One player who is expected to play on Sunday after being limited during the week is wide receiver Mike Evans, which is sure to come as a relief for many a fantasy football owner. Evans had a down game in Charlotte against the Panthers on Sunday, managing just one grab for 16 yards. Both Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and Head Coach Dirk Koetter expect him to bounce back just fine against Washington. Indeed, Washington's pass defense ranks 20th in the league, allowing an average of 254.1 yards per game, which is considerably less than the 371.8 yards per game the Bucs are averaging through the air, thanks in part to Evans. In two career games against Washington, Evans has tallied 373 yards and three touchdowns, garnering a 24.87 yards per reception average. Here's to hoping for another big game out of the team's 'X' receiver.
Of the 13 players listed on Washington's injury report, only two were ruled out for Sunday along with three more players listed as 'questionable.' Washington has been hit hard on the offensive line and tackle Trent Williams will be out with tackle Morgan Moses as one of those listed as iffy for the game. Running back Adrian Peterson, who has been battling a shoulder injury, was a full participant for the second day in a row and is therefore expected to play on Sunday.
See below for the full injury report.
Tampa Bay
DE Vinny Curry (ankle) – Did Not Participate – Out
RB Ronald Jones (hamstring) – Did Not Participate – Out
OL Evan Smith (hip) – Did Not Participate – Out
CB M.J. Stewart (foot) – Did Not Participate – Out
RB Peyton Barber (ankle) – Limited Participation
T Demar Dotson (knee/shoulder) – Limited Participation
WR Mike Evans (knee) – Limited Participation
DE Jason Pierre-Paul (ribs) – Full Participation
Washington
RB Chris Thompson (rib) – Did Not Participate – Out
T Trent Williams (thumb) – Did Not Participate – Out
WR Jamison Crowder (ankle) – Limited Participation – Questionable
CB Quinton Dunbar (shin) – Did Not Participate – Questionable
T Morgan Moses (knee) – Limited Participation – Questionable
LB Ryan Anderson (knee) – Full Participation
RB Kapri Bibbs (shoulder) – Full Participation
CB Danny Johnson (forearm) – Full Participation
QB Colt McCoy (right thumb) – Full Participation
S Montae Nichoison (hip) – Full Participation
RB Adrian Peterson (shoulder) – Full Participation
TE Jordan Reed (back) – Full Participation
CB Greg Stroman (hip) – Full Participation
