The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hoping to wait a week or two before pulling defensive tackle Akeem Spence off the Physically Unable to Perform list, but the timetable may have to be accelerated.
A groin injury will keep fellow defensive tackle Tony McDaniel out of Sunday’s game at Washington and could force the Bucs to activate Spence ahead of schedule.
“We like the flexibility to be able to do that,’’ Bucs coach Lovie Smith said of possibly activating Spence. “You want options as much as anything, and he’s looked pretty good in practice this week.’’
Slowed by offseason back surgery, Spence began the season on the PUP list, which prohibits players from practicing with their team for the first six weeks of the season.