Pirates get crucial reinforcements to try to catch Falcons in NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t going to go quietly into the night to defend their NFC South crown.

At 4-6, the Buccaneers may be losing, but they aren’t completely out of the division race. After all, the first place Atlanta Falcons lead the league by just one game. And judging by Tampa Bay’s recent actions, they still believe there’s a chance.

Bucs star wide receiver Mike Evans and stalwart left tackle Tristan Wirfs returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former is reportedly set to suit up in Week 12, although the latter’s status remains in doubt. Either way, having one of them on the team would be a huge boost for Tampa Bay.

Evans’ hamstring injury re-aggravated in Week 7 and has been sidelined since. The five-time Pro Bowler told ESPN’s Jenna Lane that he “could have tried to push it into Week 10” but ultimately decided to play it safe. So, barring any setbacks, Tampa Bay should return their alpha receiver to the lineup without restrictions.

Wirfs suffered a sprained MCL during the Bucs’ Week 10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Although he avoided long-term illness, initial reports suggested he would be sidelined for some time. However, the standout blocker’s bye came at an opportune time, potentially allowing him to avoid missing any games.

Facing a brutal New York Giants squad that ranks second in the NFL in sacks (36), the Bucs need Wirf. His ability to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield is critical, especially in a game like this. He is one of the best offensive linemen in football, as evidenced by Pro Football Focus giving him an overall player grade of 83.5.

Meanwhile, Mayfield once again has his top target in Evans against a Giants team that is struggling to stay ahead of the opposing team’s best outs. Add in the imminent return of Wirfs, and the Bucs will be healthier, and that could be enough to push them toward a late-season push.