Buccaneers-Vikings injuries: Chris Baker, Jacquies Smith will not play

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to play the Minnesota Vikings without the aid of defensive tackle Chris Baker and defensive end Jacqueis Smith. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, neither player made the trip to Minneapolis due to the flu.

Both Baker and Smith failed to practice this week due to illness, as the flu made its way around One Buc Place. Kevin Pamphile was also felled by illness on Friday, though it’s not clear whether that was due to the flu. It seems that Pamphile, at least, did make it to Minneapolis.

The Bucs will also be missing middle linebacker Kwon Alexander, which means they’re pretty short-handed on defense. Alexander should be replaced by rookie Kendell Beckwith, who did a good job at that position last week. Baker’s absence will mostly mean more playing time for Clinton McDonald and a heavier load for Gerald McCoy, while Jacquies Smith has yet to play this season.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings are healthy except for one kind of important player: Sam Bradford will once again miss the game, meaning Case Keenum will start at quarterback instead.