The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been struck with an outbreak of the flu ahead of hosting the San Francisco 49ers in their 2019 season opener.
The outbreak began when outside linebacker Damone Harris landed on the team’s official injury list on Wednesday being listed as questionable with an illness.
Things escalated when Mike Evans did not practice on Friday and was subsequently was added to the injury list with an illness. Head coach Bruce Arians acknowledged “that little bug that’s been running around” to Tampa-area reporters after Friday’s practice adding:
“Hopefully it doesn’t hit anybody more Saturday,” Arians said. “There’s always a concern when this stuff starts running through, but it hasn’t hit the locker room yet. I think it’s just coming from outside.”
Then, confirming Arians’ suspicions, rookie first-round pick Devin White became the third player added to the list on Saturday.
Damone Harris was able to return to full participation at Thursday’s practice and no longer appears on the team’s injury list. Both Evans and White remain listed as questionable to play Sunday. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert and safety Justin Evans are the only players officially out for Sunday’s game.
Vea Full Go For Week 1
Defensive tackle Vita Vea will not be on a “pitch count” against the 49ers per Arians despite missing the entire preseason with a knee injury.
Coach Arians also noted how well reserve defensive tackles Beau Allen and Rakeem Nunez-Roches played in Vea’s absence:
Bruce Arians said DL Vita Vea is good to go Sunday and will not be on a “pitch count” despite missing the whole preseason with a knee injury. The Bucs like their rotation up front with Vea, Suh, Gholston, Allen and Nunez-Roches.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 6, 2019
