TAMPA, Fla. -- It's likely that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins for the ninth consecutive game.
Seferian-Jenkins, who's dealing with a shoulder injury, is doubtful to play when the Indianapolis Colts host the Bucs on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. On Friday, coach Lovie Smith said Seferian-Jenkins still hasn't received clearance to take contact.
"Nothing has changed," Smith said. "Still hasn't been cleared. Day by day."
With Vincent Jackson returning last Sunday after missing three games with a knee injury, Seferian-Jenkins is the lone pass-catching option listed on the Bucs' injury report. Seferian-Jenkins has seven receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns this season. He was listed as questionable the past three games.
Meanwhile, guard Ali Marpet (ankle) is questionable and center/guard Evan Smith (knee) is probable. Marpet was a full participant in practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday. Evan Smith didn't participate in practice Wednesday, but he was limited Thursday before participating in full on Friday.
"They're making progress, and we have a little bit of time to go," Lovie Smith said of the offensive linemen. "They both were able to do some type of work out there today. When I say limited, no, they're not quite 100 percent. They're getting better each day. We have a little bit of time before game time."
Defensive end George Johnson (calf) and safety Keith Tandy (concussion) are the only players ruled out for Sunday. Defensive end Josh Shirley (calf) is probable.
Overall, Lovie Smith likes his team's health situation.
"When we talk about two guys being out, for sure right now, you can't beat that," he said. "It seems like it's not one position where we're really in a hole at one spot. So we're in pretty good shape. Again, can't be in a better position this time of year."
