Carlton

Davis III

Zeitler did not practice on Wednesday and was upgraded to a limited session on Thursday. He was downgraded to a DNP to close the week, putting him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. Pro Football Focus has Zeitler graded as one of their 10 best guards this year. Cornerback Carlton Davis was the only other Lions listed as questionable. He practiced in full on Friday and should be good to go.

Branch is coming off an excellent Week 6 where he tallied two interceptions and a forced fumble in the Lions’ big win over the Cowboys. The NFC Defensive Player of the Week was limited due to a knee injury in the Lions’ first practice of Week 7. Nothing indicates yet that Branch is in danger of missing time, so expect him to play this week. Meanwhile, CB Carlton Davis (quad) did not practice.

It’s reportedly for a 2024 draft pick. Increasingly injury prone with a bloated salary and diminishing statistical returns, Davis is nevertheless still only 27 years old. He’s a sensible bounce-back candidate for the “good vibes” Lions. Cornerback is an extreme position of need for the Lions, so Davis will undoubtedly remain an every-down player when healthy. He is healthy for the offseason program.

Davis missed Week 17’s contest against the Saints with a concussion but will be back in a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Panthers. The Bucs need a win to secure the NFC South title and a spot in the postseason, making Davis’s return all the more valuable.

Davis has been in and out of the lineup all season with various injuries, this time a concussion after just 10 defensive snaps in Week 16. The vaunted secondary duo of David and Jamel Dean have played only four fully healthy games together this season, resulting in below average performances against the pass all season from the Buccaneers defense.

Davis sustained a concussion in Week 16 and is currently in the league’s protocol. Barring a quick progression through all of the hurdles in the protocol, Davis will miss Week 17. Pass-rusher Shaq Barrett was also out of practice because of a groin issue.

Davis missed Week 15 because of the groin injury but looks set to return to the lineup after sitting out one game. Defensive tackle Vita Vea was limited in practice. Vea was initially listed as doubtful to play last week. He was then upgraded to questionable over the weekend and eventually suited up on Sunday. With the Bucs’ offense trending in the right direction health-wise, they could be a slightly tougher matchup than anticipated from the Jags.

Safety Ryan Neal is listed as doubtful while cornerback Jamel Dean is questionable. Dean practiced in full twice this week and should be able to suit up. Davis has nine pass breakups and two interceptions this season.

The massive nose tackle also missed Week 14 with the injury, so there remains a little concern about his status for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Vea is the key cog in the Bucs run defense and was one of three key defenders who missed last week and also didn’t practice for the Buccaneers on Wednesday, joining Carlton Davis and Devin White. It’s still early in the week, but the Bucs defense is looking pretty banged up right now, which could be an upgrade for many of the Packers’ skill position players.

Davis exited in the second half with an apparent groin injury. Fellow CB Jamel Dean was already out for Week 14, and now the Buccaneers secondary takes another hit with Davis exiting. He is questionable to return.