Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and his coaching staff have historically let their starting players rest through injury opposed to rushing them back onto the practice field. That didn’t change this preseason, as three key defensive players returned to practice Monday at AdventHealth Training Center. 

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Last season’s sack-leader, Yaya Diaby returned to the practice field Monday after an August 1st high-ankle injury scare, which ended up being a better-case scenario for the second-year pass rusher. As the initial fear was a potential fracture or tear that would’ve kept him out for multiple weeks.

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The opposing outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka also returned Monday after a shoulder injury that occurred on August 3rd, two days after Diaby’s. It’s key that the outside linebackers are healthy and ready for week one, as their depth and inexperience raises questions from doubters.

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Fan-favorite and returning after three-seasons with the Jets, Jordan Whitehead was the other huge piece to make his first appearance on the practice field since a training camp tweak. It was a quadricep injury that Whitehead dealt with for about a month before his return to the practice field today. 

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With all three players practicing on a Monday, all signs point to the trio being ready to-go against rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders Sunday @ 4:25pm. All fans should have all eyes on Jordan Whitehead’s return to Tampa and reuniting with all-pro Antoine Winfield Jr!

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