Inside gut-check performance by Bucs rookies, backups against Lions

TAMPA — Tykee Smith was sick. He missed two days of practice, and the Bucs weren’t sure the rookie from Georgia would be well enough to travel to Detroit, much less play 57 snaps in Sunday’s 20-16 win over the Lions.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles playfully likened Smith’s performance to Michael Jordan’s “flu game” in the 1997 NBA Finals.

“I’m sure they’re too young to understand it,” Bowles said, “but, you know, I’ll break it down to him at another (point).”

Although Smith wouldn’t be born until four years later, he gutted the game out like “His Airness,” compiling eight tackles, including one...