Bucs could return three starters Sunday at New Orleans

TAMPA — It’s painfully obvious, after so many injuries, the Bucs were due for the kind of break that doesn’t involve bones.

They may get several Sunday at New Orleans as offensive tackle Luke Goedeke, All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey are all expected to play against the Saints.

Winfield has been limited in practice this week with a high ankle sprain he sustained in the season-opening win over Washington. He is a game-time decision, coach Todd Bowles said Friday.

Kancey will make his first appearance of the season, fully recovered from a calf injury sustained during the last week of training camp.

Goedeke cleared concussion protocol after he was injured nearly six weeks ago against the Commanders and, barring any setbacks, will start Sunday’s game.

But what would a roller-coaster season be without some dips?

Rookie center Graham Barton, the Bucs’ first-round pick, is out with a hamstring injury.

Fortunately, the Bucs have veteran Robert Hainsey to plug in Barton’s place. Hainsey started the last two seasons at center after the career-ending knee injury to Ryan Jensen during training camp in 2022.

“Kancey was full, so he’ll play,” Bowles said. “Winfield was limited (in practice this week). He did a lot of things, so that will probably be a game-time decision. But he’s very close if he doesn’t play, but hopefully he can. Goedeke passed his (independent neurological) tests, so he’s trending forward that way. Barton will be out.”

The Bucs have had three extra days of rest since their Thursday night loss at Atlanta last week. But that didn’t help much as the injury list grew longer.

Three other players will miss Sunday’s game: defensive back Christian Izien and receivers Kam Johnson and Trey Palmer. But rookie Jalen McMillan, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is expected to play.

Running back Rachaad White, who sustained a foot injury at Atlanta, will be a game-time decision, Bowles said.

“Just coming off a physical game Thursday and this past Sunday, so there’s nothing else to point to,” Bowles said. “I mean, you’ve got guys banged up and everybody is dealing with it all over the league and we get them healthy as soon as possible.”

Barton, the rookie from Duke, has been so instrumental in improving the run game. But the Bucs are fortunate to have a player like Hainsey who has started for two seasons, including three playoff games, waiting in the wings.

“I mean it’s a great luxury,” Bowles said. “Hainsey is very smart and he’s very tough,’’ Bowles said. “The guys are very comfortable with him down the (offensive) line, so we have chemistry with him as well, so it’s a big luxury having him.”

The Bucs struggled a bit with Justin Skule replacing Goedeke at right tackle. In his first start, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson recorded 4.5 sacks. But Skule settled down the last three starts.

“He did an admirable job,” Bowles said of Skule. “I think he struggled a little bit against Detroit, against a good player. ... We kind of changed some things down there to help him and he settled in and did an admirable job for us.”

With Palmer and Johnson out, the Bucs will consider elevating either receiver Ryan Miller or Tanner Knue from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

No discussion on Devin White

Bowles said he has had no conversations with general manager Jason Licht about the possibility of re-signing linebacker Devin White, who was released by the Eagles without ever having played a game in Philadelphia.

The Bucs are short-handed at inside linebacker after SirVocea Denis went on injured reserve.

“I’ve not been in contact with him, especially this week,” Bowles said. “My hands have been kind of full. We consider everybody. We see what we come up with and how many injuries come along and me and (Licht) will talk every day and if there’s something that comes up, we’ll take a look at it. But obviously, he played here before. He has a lot of history but we’ve kind of had our hands full this week to worry about anything on the outside.”

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