The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to take on the New York Giants in Week 12, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM ET. Here’s the final injury report and analysis heading into the game.
If you’re looking for an injury report that covers all fantasy-relevant players throughout the league, head over to our Final Week 12 NFL Injury Report.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants Inactives
Note that the full inactive list is released by teams 90 minutes before kickoff. This list will be updated at that time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 12 Injury Report
Jamel Dean, CB
Dean (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants. The Auburn product has missed the Buccaneers’ last four games due to a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.
However, he has a chance to return to the field Sunday after logging a week of full practice sessions. Dean must still be activated to Tampa Bay’s active roster in order to play in Week 12. If he’s not activated in time, expect Josh Hayes and Zyon McCollum (hamstring) to serve as the team’s top outside corners.
Mike Evans, WR
Updated at 11:30 AM ET on Sunday, December 8
Evans is active for today's game.
Sidelined by a hamstring injury since going down in Week 7, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans returned to practice on Wednesday and was officially listed as limited. After putting in full practices on Thursday and Friday, the veteran pass catcher appears ready to return.
While Evans is officially considered questionable, he told reporters that he will play against the Giants on Sunday.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles on how much his team will use Mike Evans’ in his return Sunday vs. the Giants after he had missed the past three games due to a hamstring injury: “We’ll play him as long as he’s healthy and fresh. If he needs to be in there, he’ll be in there, but we’ll get… pic.twitter.com/WST8SmGKZP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2024
Evans was a top-10 fantasy WR three times in his first seven games. Assuming he doesn’t suffer a setback, he will instantly become Baker Mayfield’s WR1 down the stretch and should immediately be inserted into fantasy lineups.
Troy Hill, CB
Hill (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants. The 33-year-old began the Buccaneers’ week of practice with a DNP but upgraded to limited sessions Thursday and Friday, indicating he could be on track to play Sunday.
If Hill is able to suit up for the Week 12 matchup in New York, he’ll likely see increased playing time as one of Tampa Bay’s top rotational slot corners, especially with Tykee Smith (knee) listed as doubtful.
Bucky Irving, RB
Updated at 11:30 AM ET on Sunday, December 8
Irving is active for today's game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (toe) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the fourth-round rookie will play in Week 12.
Zyon McCollum, CB
McCollum (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants.
McCollum opened the Buccaneers’ week of practice with back-to-back DNPs after aggravating his hamstring injury in Tampa Bay’s Week 10 loss to the 49ers. However, he upgraded to a full practice session Friday, suggesting that he’s trending toward playing in Week 12.
If the Sam Houston State is sidelined Sunday, expect Tyrek Funderburk to see increased work with Buccaneers’ first-team defense.
Jalen McMillan, WR
Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is fully practicing this week. Barring a setback, the third-round rookie will play in Week 12. However, he won’t have nearly as clear a path to targets with Evans due back.
Tykee Smith, S
Smith (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants.
Scott Smith of the Buccaneers’ official site reported earlier Friday that head coach Todd Bowles ruled out Smith for Sunday’s matchup in New York. However, the Buccaneers’ official injury report Friday lists the rookie from Georgia as doubtful.
If Smith is sidelined as expected in Week 12, Tavierre Thomas and Troy Hill (ankle) will likely serve as Tampa Bay’s top slot cornerbacks.
Tristan Wirfs, OT
Wirfs (knee/foot) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants. The 25-year-old offensive lineman sprained his right MCL in Tampa Bay’s Week 10 loss to the 49ers and practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week.
If Wirfs is unable to suit up for the Week 12 matchup, expect Justin Skule to protect Baker Mayfield’s blindside.
Final Buccaneers Injury Report
Ben Bredeson, G (Shoulder) – playing; Jamel Dean, CB (Hamstring) – Questionable; Mike Evans, WR (Hamstring) – Questionable; Greg Gaines, DL (Foot) – Questionable; William Gholston, DL (Knee/Rest) – playing; Troy Hill, CB (Ankle/Foot) – Questionable; Bucky Irving, RB (Toe) – playing; Zyon McCollum, CB (Hamstring) – Questionable; Jalen McMillan, WR (Hamstring) – playing; Tykee Smith, S (Knee) – Doubtful; Tristan Wirfs, T (Knee/Foot) – Questionable; Lavonte David, LB (Rest) – playing
New York Giants Week 12 Injury Report
Dexter Lawrence, DT
Lawrence (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers.
The All-Pro defensive tackle had been dealing with a knee injury following the Giants’ Week 11 bye, but it now appears he’s moved past the issue in time for Sunday’s matchup.
Lawrence has been one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players this season, recording 38 total tackles, including 9.0 sacks, and defending one pass through 10 games. He’s expected to serve as the team’s top interior defensive lineman Sunday.
Micah McFadden, LB
McFadden (heel) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers. McFadden popped up on the Giants’ injury report Friday as a non-participant in practice due to a heel issue, putting his status for Week 12 in question.
If the third-year pro from Indiana is sidelined Sunday, Ty Summers and Darius Muasau (hamstring) are likely to see increased work with the Giants’ first-team defense.
Malik Nabers, WR
Updated at 11:30 AM ET on Sunday, December 8
Nabers is active for today's game.
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers did not participate in Friday’s practice due to a groin injury. Nabers wasn’t listed on the club’s injury report on Wednesday or Thursday. Late-week downgrades are never positive and could often portend an inactive status for Sunday.
However, while Nabers is listed as questionable for Week 12, he told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan that he intends to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Malik Nabers wasn’t participating in the open portion of practice. He hasn’t been on the injury report this week… pic.twitter.com/vezZsg6NdX
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 22, 2024
According to The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll, Nabers told reporters in October that he’s been battling a groin injury since college. “It’s just becoming a normal thing,” Nabers said.
This isn’t the first time fantasy managers have had to account for a Nabers absence. The No. 6 overall pick missed Weeks 5 and 6 while recovering from a concussion.
Tyler Nubin, S
Nubin (back) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers. Nubin logged a week of limited practice sessions due to a back injury following the Giants’ Week 11 bye, but it now appears he’ll play through the issue Sunday.
The rookie from Minnesota has impressed through 10 games this season, recording 69 total tackles and one forced fumble. He’s expected to line up alongside Jason Pinnock as part of the Giants’ top safety duo in Week 12.
Darius Slayton, WR
Darius Slayton (concussion) fully practiced all week and will play on Sunday. The Giants WR suffered a brain injury in Week 9, didn’t play in Week 10, and rested during his club’s Week 11 bye. He’s ready to face the Bucs in Week 12.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB
Thibodeaux (wrist) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers.
Thibodeaux upgraded to full participation Thursday and Friday after opening the Giants’ week of practice with a limited session, suggesting he’s trending toward returning in Week 12.
However, the 2022 first-round pick must still be activated to the Giants’ active roster in order to suit up Sunday. If he’s sidelined for the sixth consecutive game, expect Azeez Ojulari to see additional work with the Giants’ first-team defense.
Final Giants Injury Report
Matthew Adams, OLB (Knee) – playing; Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR (Achilles) – Questionable; Theo Johnson, TE (Back) – playing; Dexter Lawrence, DT (Knee) – playing; Darius Muasau, LB (Hamstring) – Questionable; Tyler Nubin, SAF (Back) – playing; Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB (Wrist) – Questionable; Greg Van Roten, G (Abdomen) – playing; Darius Slayton, WR (Concussion) – playing; Andru Phillips, DB (Hip) – playing; Micah McFadden, LB (Hee) – Questionable; Malik Nabers, WR (Groin) – Questionable