Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles missed Wednesday’s practice for personal reasons but is expected to return later in the day and be present for the rest of the week’s preparations.
The team did not disclose the reasons for Bowles’ absence. Assistant head coach Harold Goodwin handled Bowles’ duties, including speaking to the media following practice. Goodwin confirmed Bowles would be back at practice Thursday.
“He’s fine,” Goodwin said. “Just had to take care of a personal issue, but he’s fine.”
Tom Brady, as expected, didn’t practice Wednesday. He’s expected to sit midweek practices for rest and recovery. However, he showed up on the injury report as did not participate with right shoulder/right finger injuries.
“My shoulder is doing OK,” Brady said Monday on his “Let’s Go!” podcast. “You know, just some bumps and bruises and I kind of took a hit there on it. Got some treatment (Monday). Got a little (Sunday) night. So I’m sure I’ll be fine in the end.”
Tight end Cameron Brate (concussion), safety Logan Ryan (foot) and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (foot) also did not practice.
Wideouts Julio Jones (knee), Russell Gage (hamstring), Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) and Chris Godwin (knee) were all listed as limited. LT Donovan Smith (elbow) was also limited.
Also Wednesday, veteran wideout Cole Beasley, who signed with the Bucs two weeks ago and appeared in two games, retired. The move caught Goodwin by surprise.
“I don’t know what’s going on because I just heard of it, that’s [probably] an issue between him, Jason [Licht] and Todd [Bowles],” Goodwin said. “The only thing I know is basically he made a personal decision and he’s just got to talk about it with Jason and Todd — we’ll move forward from there. He was a good guy — did a nice job while he was here — if that’s what he’s doing.”
The Bucs (2-2) host the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) on Sunday.
–Field Level Media