Buccaneers vs. Chargers final injury report: Chris Conte out, Gerald McCoy likely to play

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to face the San Diego Chargers without starting safety Chris Conte and backup center Evan Smith, but are otherwise healthy. The Bucs have four other players listed as questionable, but all of them are expected to play, including star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

McCoy said on Monday that he would play against the Chargers, while Dirk Koetter said more or less the same thing today, though he was slightly more cautious. With Conte out, the Bucs are likely to start Keith Tandy at free safety, which may present some problems against Phillip Rivers and the Chargers’ prolific passing attack.

The Chargers are not so likely. Outside linebacker Jerry Attaochu, inside linebacker Jatavis Brown and cornerback Brandon Flowers have been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Flowers’ absence will have the biggest impact, limiting an already lackluster defense even more than usual.

The Chargers are otherwise healthy, though tackle D.J. Fluker could not participate in Friday’s practice with a shoulder injury. He was not given a participation status for this game.