TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be short-handed in his Thursday Night Football debut with Tampa Bay. Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, receiver Justin Watson and running back LeSean McCoy have all been ruled out when the Bucs play the Chicago Bears.
Running back Leonard Fournette is officially doubtful.
Godwin, the Bucs' slot receiver, suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos. His replacement, Watson, suffered a chest injury during the Bucs' 38-31 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. McCoy, the third-down back, left that game with an ankle injury and did not return.
Tight end O.J. Howard also suffered a torn Achilles tendon during that game and is out for the season. The team elevated wide receiver Cyril Grayson to the 53-man roster to take his place.
Fournette missed the Chargers game, but coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that Fournette would test his ankle during Wednesday's practice.
With Kenjon Barner's concussion and four-game suspension that was handed down this week, the Bucs might have to go into Thursday's game with just two healthy running backs: starter Ronald Jones, who had 111 rushing yards last week, and rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Brady in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Because of COVID-19 rules, the Buccaneers were unable to sign new players this week.