TAMPA —Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Joe Hawley did such a good job filling in for Evan Smith against the Saints last week, he was “almost’’ voted a game ball for his effort, coach Lovie Smith said.
Hawley might be pressed into action again this week at Houston.
Evan Smith was among three players who missed a second-straight day of practice Thursday after leaving the New Orleans game with an ankle injury. Also sidelined were safety Major Wright (abdomen) and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder), who expected to miss at least a month.
Defensive end T.J. Fatinikun (shoulder), cornerback Mike Jenkins (hamstring), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (shoulder) and safety D.