Bucs vs. Bears Wednesday Injury Report: 3 Defensive Starters DNP

The Bucs beat the Vikings in Week 1, 20-17, but the win did not come without some consequences.

Three Tampa Bay defensive starters did not practice on Wednesday, and one of the injured Bucs is in question for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Cornerback Carlton Davis III sustained a toe injury and sat out Wednesday’s practice.

Perhaps more concerning is the fact that rookie nickelback Christian Izien is in the concussion protocol and missed practice, too. That could leave the Bucs without their current interception leader against the Bears unless he clears the concussion protocol by the end of the week. If Izien can’t play on Sunday Tampa Bay would likely start Dee Delaney at nickel cornerback with Josh Hayes as a reserve.

Bucs quarterback was also listed as a full participant on Wednesday with a right (throwing) shoulder injury.

Bucs Hopeful Calijah Kancey Can Play On Sunday

Rookie defensive tackle Calijah Kancey also missed practice with his calf injury. The Bucs’ first-round pick missed most of training camp and the entire preseason with a calf strain that occurred on July 30. He returned to practice last week and played 11 snaps on Sunday in his Bucs debut before his calf tightened up.

As a precaution, the Bucs training staff kept Kancey out of the rest of the game so he wouldn’t re-injure his calf.

During his Wednesday press conference, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles indicated that an MRI did not reveal a re-injury of the calf. The team hopes he can return to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday.

As for the Bears, starting defensive back Kyler Gordon did not participate with a hand injury, while defensive back Josh Blackwell and linebacker Dylan Cole were limited in practice. Both Blackwell and Cole are dealing with hamstring injuries.