Bucs injury update: Vita Vea's status for MNF

The Bucs received some good news at defensive tackle Monday morning Vita Vea will play against the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Vea strained his hamstring during practice on Saturday and did not participate, but Pewter Report was told the team kept him out of practice more out of an abundance of caution than any other reason.

In case you missed it over the weekend, the Bucs removed the injury designation for wide receiver Mike Evans, who missed some practices due to a hamstring injury he suffered in New Orleans. He will be fully involved on Monday night against the Ravens. Evans also struggled with a minor knee injury but has overcome it.

Bucs DTs Vita Vea and Will Gholston and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The good news continues at wide receiver, where Trey Palmer was cleared to return from a concussion and participated in practice this week. Despite being listed as questionable on the latest injury report, Palmer will play against Baltimore as offensive coordinator Liam Coen is expected to use him as the No. 3 wide receiver along with veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Jalen McMillan.

The Bucs' wide receiver position is almost back to full strength. The only receiver injured and unable to play Monday night is rookie Kameron Johnson, who missed practice – and last week's game – with an ankle injury.

More Bucs injury news

Although Tampa Bay didn't need him in a stunning 51-27 win at New Orleans last week, running back Rachaad White will be available to play against him on Monday Baltimore. White suffered a sprained ankle in the team's 36-30 overtime loss at Atlanta and missed last week's game.

Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving helped the team rush for 277 yards, and Tucker won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors with his 192 total yards of offense and two touchdowns against the Saints. White will get at least one series, according to offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who plans to use all three defenders on Monday night and then play with the hot hand for the rest of the game.

Bucs TE Devin Culp – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The only three Bucs players out for Monday's game against the Ravens are wide receiver Kameron Johnson, cornerback Jamel Dean and tight end Payne Durham. Tyrek Funderburk, an undrafted free agent cornerback, is expected to start in place of Dean. Last week in New Orleans, he saw a lot of playing time from the first quarter.

Rookie tight end Devin Culp is expected to be active for the first time this season and will see some playing time due to Payne's absence. Veteran Ko Kieft will likely move up to the No. 2 tight end and Culp will serve as the No. 3 tight end on Monday night.

Starting center Graham Barton missed last week's game in New Orleans with a hamstring strain, but returned to practice this week and is expected to start Monday night.

Wide receiver Rakim Jarrett and defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV remain in the 21-day return to practice window and are not expected to play against the Ravens.