The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to get healthier at the most important time of the year.
One day after linebacker Shaquil Barrett was removed from the COVID list, linebacker Lavonte David and running backs Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard were designated to return from injured reserve. The trio must be activated within the next 21 days.
Tampa Bay will hope to have them back sooner rather than later as it prepares for Sunday's wild-card game versus Philadelphia.
"It's a huge addition if we can get him back out there," coach Bruce Arians said of David.
Fournette (hamstring) and David (foot) both went on IR on Dec. 23, with the expectation that they'd return for a playoff run. The two veterans made crucial contributions to last year's Super Bowl team and would likely be counted on to do the same this year. Bernard, who missed four games with hip and knee injuries, has been a valuable receiving option out of the backfield in his first year with the Bucs.
Arians said wideout Cyril Grayson (hamstring) and running back Ronald Jones (ankle) are doubtful to play against the Eagles. Barrett, cornerback Jamel Dean (hamstring), wideout Mike Evans (hamstring), cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (hamstring) and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/knee) were all limited in practice.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said he hopes defensive end J.J. Watt (shoulder) will return to practice this week with the possibility of playing Monday versus the Rams. Wideout DeAndre Hopkins (knee) will not be available for Super Wild Card Weekend, Kingsbury added. Hopkins underwent knee surgery in December, with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reporting the former All-Pro could return in late January. The team also activated tight end Maxx Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he remains on injured reserve.
- Buffalo Bills wideout Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and defensive end Efe Obada, both of whom sat out Week 18, were full participants in practice for the second day in a row.
- The Cincinnati Bengals placed kicker Elliott Fry on IR. Wideout Tee Higgins (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday. Defensive tackle Josh Tupou (knee) was a DNP.
- The Dallas Cowboys removed linebacker Micah Parsons and offensive tackle Tyron Smith from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Smith (ankle/knee) was listed as limited in practice, as was linebacker Keanu Neal (chest/elbow). Running back Tony Pollard (foot) was a full go.
- Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said pass rusher Za’Darius Smith will practice Wednesday. Smith only appeared in the Packers' season opener before undergoing back surgery in October. The team also officially designated Smith for return from injured reserve, per the league transaction wire. Guard Lucas Patrick was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (calf) was full-go in practice ahead of Sunday night's game against the Steelers. Running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) and Darrel Williams (toe) were limited.
- Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward (ankle), running back Josh Jacobs (ribs) and tight end Darren Waller (knee) were limited in practice. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back, knee) did not practice.
- The Los Angeles Rams officially placed safety Jordan Fuller (ankle) on injured reserve.
- New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (ankle) was added to the injury report and did not practice Wednesday. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (hip/ankle) was also a DNP. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), defensive back Kyle Dugger (hand), kicker Nick Folk (knee), running back Damien Harris (hamstring), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and wideout Jakobi Meyers (thigh) were among 11 Pats who were limited.
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice estimation. Running back Miles Sanders (hand) was limited.
- San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (elbow) did not practice Wednesday. The veteran, however, is "better today than he was on Sunday," when he was inactive against the Rams, coach Kyle Shanahan said. Running back Trenton Cannon was designated to return to practice. Like Williams, running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) was also a DNP on Wednesday. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (right thumb) was limited at practice. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky (concussion) was also listed a limited.
- Seattle Seahawks' Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs underwent successful surgery Tuesday from noted expert Dr. Robert Anderson to repair a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, Rapoport reported. Diggs is facing a 4-5 month recovery, Rapoport added.
Roster moves
- The Atlanta Falcons signed cornerback Corey Ballentine to a reserve/futures contract.
- The Cincinnati Bengals signed linebacker Austin Calitro to the practice squad.
- The Los Angeles Rams signed retired safety Eric Weddle. The Rams are shorthanded after a season-ending ankle injury to Jordan Fuller, who was officially placed on IR. They also signed defensive back Jake Gervase from their practice squad.