There are some interesting developments in the initial injury report for the week four match-up between the Buccaneers and Bears. For starters, Vita Vea remains a limited participant. Not entirely surprising when you have someone as big a Vea coming back from a calf injury. Too much too soon can re-aggravate the injury and cause him to miss more time. Other injuries of note are both Gerald McCoy and Demar Dotson being limited participants. Beau Allen did not participate, putting the chances of him playing in danger. For the Bears, cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper were held out with hamstring injuries which could prove problematic for a secondary ranked 28th in the NFL in pass defense going up against the gauntlet of Bucs weapons.<doc-sep>Relatively speaking, the Chicago Bears’ injury reports have been very mild this year so far. The Bears are listing three players as out for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but none are season ending injuries. Chicago will be without wide out Anthony Miller (shoulder), and corner backs Prince Amukamara (hamstring) and Marcus Cooper (hamstring). Neither of these three practiced at all this week. With Miller out there could be more opportunities for Kevin White to see meaningful reps in the passing game, although Josh Bellamy was mentioned by head coach Matt Nagy as the player that will replace Miller in the slot. We may also finally see rookie Javon Wims activated as well. Amukamara’s absence could lead to nickleback Bryce Callahan starting outside (then kicking to the slot on nickle), but we could see rookie UDFA Kevin Toliver II get the start outside. “It’s going to be a really good opportunity for him,” says Nagy of Toliver. “He’s certainly going to be challenged by those great wide receivers and tight ends.” For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers there will be no Chris Conte revenge game, because the Bucs put the ex-Bear on injured reserve this week. They will also be without starting defensive tackle Beau Allen (foot) who has been ruled out. Questionable Buccaneers are DT Vita Vea (calf), S Jordan Whitehead (shoulder/hamstring), S Marcus Williams (hamstring), and CB Carlton Davis (groin). Whitehead and Davis are both starters and both were limited at practice today.<doc-sep>The Chicago Bears were finally hit with the injury bug in Week 3. Before last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago had a solid streak of healthiness outside of an injury to tight end Adam Shaheen that placed him on injured reserve. As the team prepared for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, more names were added to the injury report on Wednesday. On Friday, the team announced injury designations for Sunday's game: Friday Injury Report (Sunday Designations) Cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) - Out Wide Receiver Anthony Miller (shoulder) - Out Cornerback Marcus Cooper (hamstring) - Out *Amukamara, Miller and Cooper all missed each practice this week and will not play on Sunday afternoon. First, the good news. After missing the first three games of the year, it appears Houston-Carson could be ready to go in Week 4 against the Bucs. The young safety suffered a forearm injury against the Denver Broncos in the preseason and has been out ever since. Last week was the first time this season he was at least limited in practice. Considering he was a full participant on Wednesday the odds of him playing on Sunday have increased. On Thursday he was taken off the injury report entirely. Earlier this week the Bears noted that both Amukamara and Miller are "day-to-day" because of their injuries. Both had to leave Sunday's game against the Cardinals with their ailments. On Thursday, head coach Matt Nagy noted he did not believe Miller would need to have surgery on his shoulder. For the third day in a row on Friday, Amukamara, Miller and Cooper all missed practice. Miller suffered his injury early in the game against Arizona but eventually made it back onto the field. After falling awkwardly in the third quarter he missed the remainder of the game. The young wide receiver entered the contest with four catches for 25 yards with one touchdown. He caught two passes for 14 yards in the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers before he caught his first career touchdown on Monday Night Football in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He ended Sunday's game with four catches for 35 yards with a long of 15 yards. Amukamara went down with his hamstring injury in the second half. His injury led to rookie Kevin Toliver getting reps at the position. Toliver struggled at times, but veteran cornerback Bryce Callahan helped pick up the slack, hauling in an interception late in the game. Cooper missed Sunday's game because of the hamstring injury he suffered late in practice last week. With Amukamara and Cooper unable to go against the Buccaneers the Bears will have some question marks at the position. Kyle Fuller is slotted as a starter at one of the outside spots and undrafted rookie Kevin Toliver will likely get the call opposite of him. Sherrick McManis remains an option if Toliver struggles. At the wide receiver spot, head coach Matt Nagy said on Friday that Josh Bellamy could get the reps out of the slot position with Miller on the mend. The Bears and Buccaneers are set to kickoff at 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday afternoon from Soldier Field. It will be Chicago's second home game of the year.<doc-sep>Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick set an NFL record last Sunday when he eclipsed 400 yards passing for the third consecutive week, so it’s not ideal that the Chicago Bears have two injured cornerbacks who missed practice on Thursday. Bears who did not practice Thursday: CB Amukamara (hamstring) WR Miller (left shoulder) CB Cooper (hamstring) — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) September 27, 2018 Both Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper are dealing with hamstring injuries and appear doubtful to suit up Sunday. That leaves undrafted rookie Kevin Toliver as a likely starter with Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan against the likes of Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. Not good. Joining Amukamara and Cooper on the sideline Thursday was WR Anthony Miller, who according to coach Matt Nagy, shouldn’t require surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder. Still, he looks destined to miss Sunday’s game, too. The Bears’ pass rush, which has been among the best in the NFL this season, has to produce again against the Buccaneers. Otherwise, expect Fitzpatrick (or James Winston) to target Toliver early and often at Soldier Field.<doc-sep>
Tampa Bay and Chicago have both released their final injury reports prior to matching up on Sunday. It seems like both teams are dealing with some ailments on the defensive side of the ball. The Buccaneers have ruled Beau Allen out for the second consecutive game while Carlton Davis, Jordan Whitehead, and Marcus Williams are listed as questionable. However, in a turn of events, Vita Vea has been ruled questionable after fully participating on Friday. Head coach Dirk Koetter expects him to see the first snaps of his NFL career against the Bears. On the other side, Chicago has ruled out Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. That should help Tampa Bay exploit the Bears defensive backfield, as they’ll have their hands full up front against the top pass rush in the league. The full injury report can be viewed below. Buccaneers DT Beau Allen (Foot) - Did Not Participate on Friday - Out for Sunday CB Carlton Davis (Groin) - Limited Participation on Friday - Questionable for Sunday DT Vita Vea (Calf) - Full Participation on Friday - Questionable for Sunday S Jordan Whitehead (Shoulder/Hamstring) - Limited Participation on Friday - Questionable for Sunday CB Marcus Williams (Hamstring) - Full Participation on Friday - Questionable for Sunday T Demar Dotson (Knee) - Full Participation on Friday DT Gerald McCoy (Biceps) - Full Participation on Friday S Isaiah Johnson (Shoulder) - Full Participation on Friday Bears CB Prince Amukamara (Hamstring) - Did Not Participate on Friday - Out for Sunday CB Marcus Cooper Sr. (Hamstring) - Did Not Participate on Friday - Out for Sunday WR Anthony Miller (Shoulder) - Did Not Participate on Friday - Out for Sunday