The Buccaneers are still mulling whether or not kick returner Clifton Smith will be able to play on Sunday, one week after suffering a concussion on a hit that got Dante Wesley of the Panthers suspended for one game.
Smith declared himself ready to go on Thursday, the only day he took part in any portion of practice, but coach Raheem Morris said that you can’t take the word of a player who’s just suffered a head injury.
“Clifton suffered a pretty good hit last week,” Morris said Saturday. “You care about the safety of your players. You care about how your players are going to respond and all that type of stuff. We’ll take our time with Clifton. I won’t put him back on the field until he’s ready and until our doctors say he’s ready.”
If Smith can’t go, and armchair neurology says it’s wiser to rest him than push him back too soon, the Bucs are well stocked for kick returns. Wide receiver Sammie Stroughter took a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown during last week’s loss to Carolina and they also have former Ravens returner Yamon Figurs with them in London.
Morris said his only other roster decision for Sunday’s game involves defensive end Kyle Moore. The fourth-round pick has practiced for the last two weeks after sitting out three weeks following knee surgery but hasn’t played in a regular season game yet. If Moore isn’t deemed ready for action, Michael Bennett will likely dress for the game.
