Bucs' Antoine Winfield Jr. Back at Practice, Could Return vs. Falcons After Missing Three Games
Tampa Bay's starting safety was a full participant Wednesday after a rib injury, and Todd Bowles says he's making good progress
The Buccaneers could have Antoine Winfield Jr. back for Sunday's NFC South game against the Falcons. The starting safety returned to practice Wednesday as a full participant after missing three games with a rib injury, Buccaneers.com's Brianna Dix reported.
Winfield had been working in a non-contact jersey for several weeks before getting back to full work. Todd Bowles said he's making "good progress" and could play against Atlanta.
His return would round out a team that is getting healthy at the right time. Baker Mayfield, who dislocated his right thumb in Week 3, returned Sunday and was a full participant again Wednesday. Tampa Bay responded with a 43-13 rout of the Panthers built on 258 rushing yards and four takeaways, the fourth-best rushing day in team history.
The defense has also found a pass rush, with five sacks over the last two games, and getting Winfield back on the back end comes at a good time. Atlanta has Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr., who has 1,157 passing yards, nine touchdowns and a 109.0 passer rating through seven games.
Not everything was positive on the injury report. Running back Kenny Gainwell (hip), right tackle Luke Goedeke (calf) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (illness) did not practice, and receiver Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot) was limited.
Both of Tampa Bay's wins this season have come on the road, and Bowles was blunt about that: "We have to turn that around and win a home game." Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.