TAMPA — Bucs DT Akeem Spence, sidelined since having back surgery in July, could make his season debut Sunday with backup Tony McDaniel sidelined Thursday by a groin injury.
"He's been rehabbing for a long time," coach Lovie Smith said. "He's been keeping his strength up, staying in pretty good shape. We thought it would be a quick turnaround once he was able to come back. He was able to go through a full padded practice and looked pretty good with it."
For the Bucs to activate Spence from the physically unable to perform list, they'd have to cut a player from the 53-man roster, but McDaniel's injury may necessitate that.