The teams’ first injury reports ahead of Sunday’s Tampa matchup list Vikings RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve; Vikings RB Aaron Jones (knee) and Buccaneers rookie starters Rueban Bain Jr. (groin) and Josiah Trotter (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.
Jones suffered the knee injury against the Bears. DeeJay Dallas (toe), Ty Ingram-Dawkins (oblique), Brian O’Neill (knee), Jalen Redmond (elbow) and Nick Samac (knee) were limited Wednesday; Jake Golday (ankle) and punter Brett Thorson (hamstring) also did not practice. The article says Minnesota is trying to get Jones ready for Sunday, but his progress remains uncertain. Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence in Demond Claiborne as needed, though Claiborne has played only a handful of snaps in two games.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (illness), WR Jalen McMillan (knee) and CB Jacob Parrish (back) practiced fully Wednesday; LB Anthony Nelson (shin) did not practice. Coach Todd Bowles said Bain was probably not completely healthy when asked about his performance. The article notes Bain had one tackle in two games and a 2.6% pass-rush win rate. Trotter has worn a shoulder brace and harness for soreness this season; it is unclear whether the condition worsened after he briefly left last week’s game with a shoulder injury.
