Four Key Tampa Bay Buccaneers Missing From Thursday Practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched their third straight NFC South division title in Week 17 with a big win over the Carolina Panthers, but with just one week until the playoffs begin, if they want to make an impact come playoff time, they'll be needing to get healthy.

Unfortunately, Thursday didn't see much of that, as Vita Vea, Donovan Smith, Carlton Davis and Julio Jones were all absent from practice, and with a game against the Atlanta Falcons to play before the postseason, health is their utmost priority.

No DT Vita Vea (calf) or T Donovan Smith (foot) CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) or WR Julio Jones (knee) today during portion of practice open to media. QB Tom Brady is taking his usual Thurs off. Jamel Dean (toe), Mike Edwards (hamstring), T Tristan Wirfs (ankle) are working.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 5, 2023

When healthy, this is a team that has the capability of beating anyone in the NFC, but unless they get all four of these names back, plus Ryan Jensen, this is unfortunately a team that won't go very far in the playoffs at all.

Photo Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK