UPDATE: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Donovan Smith will miss 2-4 weeks. The new diagnosis puts his status for Week 1 in doubt. No update yet on Evans.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hopeful both safety Justin Evans and tackle Donovan Smith will be available for the season opener against New Orleans.
Smith and Evans are valuable pieces for the Bucs. Evans is by far the most talented safety on the roster, and the Bucs don’t have a viable replacement to protect the quarterback’s blindside if Smith misses extended time.