Tampa Bay's best rushing option is headed for surgery.
Running back Ronald Jones is scheduled to have a surgical procedure to have a pin placed in his fractured pinky finger on Tuesday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the situation.
The timetable for Jones' return is to be determined, leaving a potential void in Tampa Bay's backfield. The Buccaneers opted to list a healthy Leonard Fournette on the inactives list in what was described as a coach's decision in Week 14, then proceeded to defeat Minnesota 26-14 while rushing for 107 yards as a team. Jones accounted for 80 of those yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while veteran LeSean McCoy supplemented his efforts with 32 yards on four carries.
Tampa Bay will be left with McCoy, Fournette and rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn while Jones heals.
Tampa Bay has also brought in punter Dustin Colquitt, kicker Brett Maher and long snapper Garrison Sanborn for visits after placing three specialists on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Here's other injury and roster news we're tracking on Tuesday:
- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley suffered a minor knee sprain against the Browns, Pelissero reported, and the team announced it had placed him on injured reserve. McSorley and quarterback Robert Griffin III are now each on IR, so Lamar Jackson's backup is now likely to be undrafted rookie Tyler Huntley, Pelissero added. In corresponding moves, wide receiver Dez Bryant, who announced prior to the Ravens' Week 13 game that he had tested positive for COVID-19, was activated from the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. Defensive back Terrell Bonds was also activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list and reverted back to injured reserve.
- The New York Jets announced Tuesday that they had released kicker Sergio Castillo. Castillo missed three of his four field goal tries in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.
- Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills tweaked an ankle in Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but it shouldn’t be a concern moving forward, Pelissero reported, per a source. Good news for the No. 10 overall pick. Coach Kevin Stefanski said safety Andrew Sendejo suffered a concussion and is in the protocol.
- Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah confirmed he underwent successful core muscle surgery. "I've been through a roller coaster of emotions this past week, but I just wanted to share with everyone that I underwent a successful core muscle procedure to fix an injury that I've dealt with for a while now," he said in a post on Twitter. Quarterback Matthew Stafford (ribs) is not expected to practice much, if at all, this week, Pelissero reported, but hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans due to his past high tolerance for pain. If Stafford does sit, Chase Daniel would get the start.
- The Lions brought in quarterback Jordan Ta'amu for a visit. A former XFL standout, Ta'amu was on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad earlier this season.
- Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Jack Driscoll will miss the rest of the season with a significant MCL sprain, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported, per sources informed. The rookie toughed it out to finish the game against the Saints but further testing showed the full extent of the injury, Garafolo added.
- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said guard Matt Feiler has been placed on injured reserve with a pec injury. He also said running back James Conner suffered a quad injury and could be limited early this week. Along with Conner, Chukwuma Okorafor (ankle), Terrell Edmunds (shoulder) and Kevin Dotson (shoulder) also could be limited this week. Joe Haden is expected to get out of the concussion protocol.
- Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker suffered a slight hamstring strain and his status for Sunday's game against the Patriots is to be determined, Pelissero reported.
- The Indianapolis Colts are hopeful that punter Rigoberto Sanchez can return to practice this week, special teams coach Bubba Ventrone told reporters. Sanchez has missed the last two games. The punter underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor two weeks ago.
- The Carolina Panthers have released kicker Lirim Hajrullahu and signed linebacker Chris Orr back to practice squad. Also activated defensive tackle Bruce Hector from practice squad/COVID-19 list.
- The Oakland Raiders placed wideout Henry Ruggs III on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and designated Takkarist McKinley for return from injured reserve, Pelissero reported, per the transaction wire. They also announced they signed defensive end Vic Beasley to the active roster from the practice squad.
- The Houston Texans claimed running back Dontrell Hilliard off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.
- The Buffalo Bills designated wide receiver John Brown to return from injured reserve. Brown has a high-ankle sprain that's kept him from playing since Week 10.
- The Los Angeles Chargers placed safety Derwin James on the reserve/COVID-19 list. James was previously on injured reserve.
- Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tajae Sharpe has cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
- The Minnesota Vikings brought in kicker Chandler Catanzaro for a tryout. Vikings kicker Dan Bailey missed four field goals on Sunday.
- The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that they have waived safety Johnathan Cyprien. The veteran played in just four games this season for the Niners, his third team in two years.
- The Washington Football is optimistic quarterback Alex Smith (calf) will play versus the Seahawks on Sunday, Pelissero reported on Tuesday. Pelissero added the plan is to rest him this week in the hopes of him healing up enough to play. Should Smith not be able to go, Dwayne Haskins would start.
- New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill will likely start on Sunday against the Chiefs unless Drew Brees (ribs) is "all the way back," Pelissero reported. New Orleans is aiming to see Brees practice in a limited capacity this week as he returns from fracturing his ribs and a suffering a punctured lung. Brees has missed the last four weeks.