Antoine Winfield Jr., Baker Mayfield and Sean Tucker were among five Tampa Bay Buccaneers who did not practice Wednesday as the club opened Week 6 work for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cornerback Ayden Garnes (ankle) and receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (rest) also sat out, while cornerback Benjamin Morrison and linebacker SirVocea Dennis returned on a limited basis after missing last week’s game in Dallas.
- Did not practice: cornerback Ayden Garnes (ankle), receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (rest), quarterback Baker Mayfield (right thumb), running back Sean Tucker (quad), safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib)
- Limited: linebacker SirVocea Dennis (ankle/foot), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quad)
- Full: receiver David Sills V (hamstring), tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee)
Mayfield still working back from the thumb
Mayfield has not practiced since he dislocated his right thumb in Week 3, and he was again listed as a non-participant. Todd Bowles said before the session that Mayfield was “getting better” and would try to throw later in the afternoon to test the thumb, but that any talk of a return was still speculation until that step is cleared.
“I can’t answer until he throws the ball. I don’t know where it’s at,” Bowles said. “We’ve got to see him throw. We haven’t even broached that topic yet.” He also said that if Mayfield is not fully ready, he does not need to play. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels has started the last two games and is lined up for a third straight start Sunday if Mayfield stays out.
Winfield still out; Tucker and Garnes are new
Winfield remains sidelined with the rib injury that is expected to cost him multiple weeks. Tucker and Garnes showed up as new problems Wednesday: Greg Auman reported both were working on the side with trainers rather than in the team period, and both landed on the official report as did-not-practice.
The secondary did get two bodies back. Morrison (quad) and Dennis (ankle/foot) practiced on a limited basis after sitting out Thursday night in Dallas. Wirfs was a full participant with a knee listing, and Sills — who is in his 21-day window to return from injured reserve — was a full participant with a hamstring listing.
What Pittsburgh put on the board
The Steelers’ first report of the week was also heavy on the defensive side. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (wrist), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (ankle), defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (rest), receiver Ben Skowronek (calf) and receiver Roman Wilson (finger) did not practice. Cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle), running back Rico Dowdle (toe), safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and linebacker T.J. Watt (rest) were limited.
What comes next
The 1-4 Buccaneers host the Steelers on Sunday, October 18, at 1 p.m. EDT. Thursday’s report will show whether Mayfield advances from a throw session into practice, whether Tucker and Garnes can get on the field, and how much Morrison and Dennis ramp up. Friday’s game designations will settle the Winfield and Mayfield questions for kickoff.
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