Often-injured tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins could return to the football field Sunday for the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Seferian-Jenkins has been out with a shoulder injury since week two of the season and has played in only 11 of 27 games since being drafted by the Bucs. In that time, Cameron Brate has become a good receiver for the Bucs, but most teams use three or four tight ends over the course of a game.
“He’s practiced all week and we have him listed as limited,” Bucs coach Lovie Smith said. “Limited can mean a lot of things. He has looked good. This is as advanced as he has been, as far along as he has been in a long time. We’re encouraged. We’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
Smith was asked if Seferian-Jenkins had been cleared for contact.
“Austin has been cleared for full contact and he has looked good this week,” Smith said.
Smith ruled only two players as definitely out for the Atlanta game — defensive ends Jacquies Smith and George Johnson. Neither defensive tackle Gerald McCoy nor linebacker Bruce Carter have practiced all week.
