Buccaneers hope to get injured players back soon as tough stretch awaits after a bye week

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame several injuries to key players and kept winning in the first half of their season.

That can only help them when the games mean the most.

The Buccaneers (6-2) have a two-game lead in the division at their bye-week break. All those injuries allowed more players opportunities to get on the field, improving Tampa Bay’s depth and providing coaches a chance to learn what some of the backups and reserves can do in meaningful games.

“We’ve had, obviously, a lot of people that have played and contributed to this team and we’re going to need everybody down the home stretch,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "Taking away the fact that we’re leading the division right now, but it’s not close to being over. The real football starts for us right