Calijah

Kancey

Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) will be a game-time call but is trending toward playing. Kancey has yet to play this year after suffering a hamstring injury before Week 1. The 2023 first-round pick totaled four sacks and 10 TFLs as a rookie.

DL Calijah Kancey (calf) also returned to practice, getting in a full participation. Winfield has been sidelined since Week 1 with a foot injury and has a chance to return Week 6 after getting in a limited practice Wednesday. Safety Jordan Whitehead (groin) was also limited while DB Christian Izien (elbow/groin) did not practice.

The talented inside-outside pass rusher will miss another game after failing to practice all week. The Buccaneers will hope to get him back for their Week 6 divisional showdown against the Saints.

Vea had a shot at suiting up last week, but the Bucs ultimately held him out on Sunday. He was limited in all three practices this week and looks to be on the right side of the questionable tag heading into the weekend. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. both remain out for Week 4.

Winfield hasn’t played since injuring his foot in Week 1 against the Commanders. In addition to his absence, the Buccaneers have also ruled out DT Calijah Kancey (calf) who has yet to play this season.

Head coach Todd Bowles also ruled out right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot/ankle). Justin Skule will start at right tackle, but Bowles noted that the Bucs could use a rotation to fill Goedeke’s spot. Kancey has now missed the first three weeks of the season because of his lingering hamstring issue.

Neither did DT Calijah Kancey (calf), and OT Luke Goedeke (concussion) was limited to side work with trainers. Not having Vea and Kancey would be a major issue for the Bucs’ run defense; however, they’re facing a Broncos offense that seemed incapable of moving the ball through the first two weeks. As it stands, this is a slight upgrade for Javonte Williams and a slight downgrade for the Bucs defense but doesn’t figure to drastically change the complexion of the game.

Vea was reportedly scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the injury’s severity. No new information has been released beyond confirming the knee injury is an MCL sprain. Vea could miss time. Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey (calf) and backup DL William Gholston (knee) likewise did not practice Wednesday, though EDGE Logan Hall (foot) was limited.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, Vea “received an initial diagnosis of MCL sprain, source says... but the hope is that it’s not an extended absence.” Though undoubtedly painful, Vea could potentially play through a Grade 1 sprain; he missed on game after suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain in 2021. The Buccaneers’ defense has had terrible injury luck over the last seven days, with S Antoine Winfield Jr. (undisclosed) and DT Calijah Kancey (calf) both ruled out preemptively on Friday.

Head coach Todd Bowles also ruled out S Antoine Winfield Jr., RT Luke Goedeke, and CB Josh Hayes. The Bucs will be down multiple starters on defense as they head into a matchup with the Lions. All signs point to this game being a shootout, with Vegas putting to total at 51.5. That is the highest total of the week by three points. Fantasy managers can fire up Detroit skill position players with confidence.