Bucs’ injury bug bites long-snapper Zach Triner, others

TAMPA — The list of injuries grows longer each week for the Bucs and now has claimed one of their specialists.

Long-snapper Zach Triner, who has held the job for five seasons, has an elbow injury and did not practice Wednesday. The Bucs signed Evan Deckers, who was with the team in training camp, to the practice squad.

Deckers, who has a master’s degree in managerial studies and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from UMass, has continued to stay ready for another opportunity in the NFL. He said he is happy to return to Tampa Bay, where he already has a relationship with punter Jake Camarda and place-kicker Chase McLaughlin.

“When I left here in August, it was not ideal,” Deckers said. “But it was more difficult because of the locker room here. Especially this group (of specialists). These guys are unreal. They’re awesome guys. You can talk to them whereever and whenever.

“The minute I got back, it just felt like I knew everybody. There’s a couple new guys I haven’t gotten to meet yet, but it’s the same guys. I walked in the building and everybody knew me.”

Triner was injured during a punt in last Sunday’s win at Atlanta.

“When a long-snapper gets an elbow (injury), it’s a problem,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “We put (Deckers) on the practice squad, and we’ll see where Triner is during the end of the week. If he can’t go, we’ll have to bring (Deckers) up.”

Godwin on long injury list

Coming off one of his best games of the season, Chris Godwin was one of the additions to the Bucs’ crowded injury list. The receiver did not practice Wednesday due to a knee issue, according to the team, which had seven players miss practice.

In addition to Godwin and Triner, cornerback Carlton Davis (groin) defensive lineman Will Gholston (knee/ankle), safety Ryan Neal (back), nose tackle Vita Vea (toe) and linebacker Devin White (foot) were out. Cornerback Jamel Dean was limited because of an ankle injury.

“Some of them will be game-time decisions,” Bowles said. “It’s probably half and half. There are some of them that are hurt, and we’ll see how they trend during the week.”

Godwin, who had a neck issue earlier this season, caught five of his 11 targets for 53 yards against the Falcons. His final play, a 32-yard reception, set up the Bucs’ winning touchdown. It was a dramatic turnaround from the previous week, when he was shut out of the passing game completely.

White has missed the past two games with a foot injury, which he has said he played through earlier in the season. Bowles hoped White could get back this week but is prepared to go with K.J. Britt again.

“Hopefully, (White) does something (Thursday),” Bowles said. “Until he gets better, we’ve got to move forward with K.J. It’s early in the week, we’ll see — with two weeks off — what he does towards the end of the week and kind of go from there.”

Gholston has a” leg” injury, Bowles said, " an ankle and a knee.”

The ‘Frozen Tundra’

While the weather may not live up to the nickname Sunday, there is an emotional facet to playing at Lambeau Field, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said.

He should know. This will be his third straight season playing in Green Bay in December.

“Guys just have to be prepared for the grass,” Mayfield said. “That’s something I learned pretty quickly. It’s slick. This late in the year, obviously it’s not in the best condition. It’s a little bit longer, so you’ve got to be ready for that.

“Then, in the football aspect, it’s a historical place. I grew up a huge Brett Favre fan, so the first time I got to go up there I just kind of took it all in pregame. When it comes down to it, it’s still a football field when the game comes. It’s a special place to play and a great opportunity for us in this end-of-season push that we have coming on.”

Mayfield lost both times he played at Lambeau, and both were ugly. In 2021 with the Browns, he threw four interceptions in a 24-22 defeat on Christmas Day. Last year with the Rams, he was sacked five times in a 24-12 loss.

The forecast for Sunday calls for a mild 40 degrees with a light wind.

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