Austin Seferian-Jenkins "close" to returning from shoulder injury

Update: According to Roy Cummings, only Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Logan Mankins missed practice -- or at least that portion of practice that was open to the media. That means Johnthan Banks, Akeem Spence, Demar Dotson, Luke Stocker and Evan Smith were able to participate on some level.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should get a number of players back from injury this week, and two of them have talked to reporters to say that they're close to coming back. That is, Austin Seferian-Jenkins told Rick Stroud that he was "close" to returning, while Johnthan Banks told Scott Smith that he feels "pretty good."

Getting both of these players could provide a big boost for the Bucs. Mike Jenkins and Tim Jennings have struggled at cornerback during Banks' absence, while Tampa Bay has lacked the ability to attack the middle of the field since Seferian-Jenkins' week two injury.

In addition to those two, the Bucs should get Evan Smith and Logan Mankins back at some point in the next couple of weeks, possibly as early as this Sunday, while Demar Dotson continues his slow return from a knee injury and should be available some time in week eight or nine.

We'll get an official injury report tomorrow, and should get some vague updates from Lovie Smith later today as well.