The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to rebound from a Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears in London when they travel to New Orleans to play the Saints Sunday afternoon. A day after ‘Thumbgate’ broke, Josh Freeman practiced fully on Friday, albeit with a protective bandage on his injured thumb. According to Buccaneers Insider Craig Smith, Freeman looked good in practice, ‘zipping passes to his receivers without any apparent discomfort or limitation.’ Good news on that front Bucs fans.
Other good news includes the full return of rookie DT Gerald McCoy, who had injured his ankle against the 49ers and missed the first matchup against New Orleans. He’ll join Brian Price in the middle of the Bucs defensive line, and hopefully provide Tampa Bay with a much-needed boost collapsing the pocket and forcing Drew Brees out of his comfort zone.
Fellow rookie Mason Foster is apparently returning to full strength after being slowed somewhat in recent weeks by lingering pain in both ankles. Raheem Moriss said his versatile, play-making linebacker has looked good in practice this week:
“He looked great this week. He was full participation and everything. This is probably the best I’ve seen him look in three or four weeks.”
Stay tuned here and at Bucs Nation for more updates about the Buccaneers and Saints leading up to Sunday’s pivotal NFC South matchup in New Orleans.