The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their preparations for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, moving their practice indoors and starting about an hour early due to the presence of Hurricane Helene in the Gulf of Mexico. Here is the one Practical report for Thursday, September 26th:

Start time, duration: 10:05am, 113 minutes, 8 periods

Participation: RB Bucky Irving, DL Calijah Kancey, TE Ko Kieft and S Antoine Winfield Jr. did not practice. WR Mike Evans, DL Greg Gaines, DL Will Gholston, WR Chris Godwin, RB Bucky Irving, WR Kameron Johnson, DL Vita Vea and T Tristan Wirfs were limited.

Equipment: The players wore spiders (smaller, lightweight shoulder pads).

Weather: The players trained indoors and were bussed to and from the indoor facility. The weather outside as Tropical Storm Helene strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico was partly cloudy but without rain, with gusts of up to 25 miles per hour.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen on preparing to involve Mike Evans more in the offense: “The second play of the (Denver) game was meant for him and we kind of missed it in the end. You try to get him involved early by calling a play for him on the second play of the game, and then things happen.” . We were, as Baker (Mayfield) mentioned, a little quick at times and missed him a little bit at the end. We just have to continue to be diligent about moving him and getting him in positions where they can’t double him. “Plus, we have to be on time and in rhythm to be able to throw the ball to him quickly. The defenses in this league are smart, they know how to take away some of their best players, and it’s usually better for Mike to get him involved.”

Running back Bucky Irving on what surprised him about defenses in the NFL: “I would probably say that the guys up front, the D-linemen, as far as the ball getting past them, they’re willing to go after the ball. I feel like I’m at the college level as soon as the ball gets past the D-. They’re not really valuable for chasing the ball. I would probably say the boys play until the final whistle.