Defenses have neutered his runs.

Yesterday, yes, Baker Mayfield admitted he’s not 100 percent. But he also said he doesn’t want to use that as an “excuse” for not being as effective as he was earlier in the season, specifically on his third-down runs. [read more]

Vague update.

OK, let’s start this chilly Thursday morning off with some semantics hopscotch, shall we? [read more]

Get healthy.

Injuries have caught up to the Bucs. [read more]

Bucs icon Rondé Barber is no fan of players mentally recharging over a long seven-day, bye-week vacation.

Yes, he’s referring to the current Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [read more]

Weather is for losers.

The weather forecast for Orchard Park, N.Y. on Sunday is a high of 42 degrees with showers. That’s about as gross as it gets. [read more]

Joe is sick of talking about Baker Mayfield being injured.

Yes, he’s been banged up for weeks (while not missing a snap) and addressed his physical situation more today. [read more]

Bucky Irving returns to practice. Sort of.

So the Bucs had a walk-through practice today and running back Bucky Irving was participating. [read more]

No, the Bucs are not the only team with injuries to key players.

Remember, the Patriots exposed the Bucs defense on Sunday without their top deep-threat receiver, Kayshon Boutte, and their most-used running back, Rhamondre Stevenson. [read more]

Usually, when a Bucs player has an in-game injury, head coach Todd Bowles will respond publicly with a next-man-up cliché and talk about how it was unfortunate but the backup was ready and capable. [read more]

Blossoming.

One of the few good things to come out of the loss to New England is the continued development of wide receiver Tez Johnson. [read more]

History says he should be angry.

In a sitdown with Aileen Hnatiuk of WFLA-TV Channel 8 this week, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he and Baker Mayfield are “pissed” about Sunday’s loss to New England. [read more]

Mike Evans lays prone on the turf of Ford Field after his injury and concussion.

Joe’s done hearing anyone with the Bucs or outside of One Buc Palace whine about all the Bucs injuries. [read more]

Game 9 passing chart revealed.

The stats could be worse. [read more]

Just a couple of weeks ago the Bucs were looking like a team that would have a bye in the NFC playoffs, and maybe a shot at the No. 1 seed. [read more]

Busted.

Backup running back Josh Williams will miss six games as the NFL hammered him for failing a whizz quiz.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Williams was popped for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. He will be out at least six games and is eligible for reinstatement in the Week 16 game against the Stinking Panthers.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing, Cade.”

No NFL tight end runs more routes per game this season than Cade Otton, the only Tampa Bay tight end to catch a pass this season. [read more]

Rookie receiver Tez Johnson.

Early this season, head coach Todd Bowles referenced rookie receiver Tez Johnson having a big learning curve in the Bucs offense.

The contrast with football genius and fellow rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka was stark. [read more]

Former Bucs cornerback Richard Sherman.

Some ex-player NFL analysts have inside information; some don’t.

So this one-liner intrigued Joe greatly. [read more]