Storylines to follow in Week 12 matchup vs. Buccaneers

Kayvon returns to practice; other injury & roster updates

The time off allowed the Giants to get healthier entering the final seven contests. Coach Brian Daboll announced on Wednesday that outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was designated for return from injured reserve, where he has remained since Oct. 12. Thibodeaux suffered a wrist injury in the Giants’ Week 5 victory at Seattle and underwent surgery. Daboll said he’s “optimistic” Thibodeaux will be able to return to action against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Thibodeaux picked up two sacks, three tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits in the first five games of the season before suffering the injury. He also added 17 quarterback pressures, according to NGS. His return should help boost the Giants’ pass rush that has just one sack over the last two games. Despite the recent dip in production, the unit still sits only three sacks behind the Broncos for the league lead (Denver has played one extra game).

The Giants also made some moves on their practice squad this week. The team reunited with offensive lineman Tyre Phillips while also adding quarterback Tim Boyle and tight end Jordan Murray. In corresponding moves, linebacker Curtis Bolton, tight end/fullback Jakob Johnson and offensive tackle Garret Greenfield were released from the practice squad.

Phillips started 14 games for the Giants from 2022-23, including nine games at right tackle last season. He tore his quad tendon in Week 17 and subsequently underwent surgery, which led to him being a free agent until this week.

Boyle played two games for the Miami Dolphins earlier this season before being released. Overall, he has appeared in 22 games with five starts over six seasons with the Packers (2018-2020), Lions (2021), Bears (2022), Jets (2023), and Texans (2024).

Murray began his collegiate career at Missouri State before finishing at Hawaii. He went undrafted in 2023 before spending time on the practice squads of the Texans (2023), Colts (2023-24), and Cardinals (2024). Arizona released Murray last month.

The Buccaneers have lost four consecutive games after starting the season 4-2. The Buccaneers’ offense enters this matchup ranking fifth in points and eighth in yards, while the defense comes in at No. 27 in points and No. 30 in yards allowed. This offense is particularly strong in the red zone, where they have scored a touchdown on 68.4 percent of their trips inside the 20, the third-best mark in the NFL.

After revitalizing his career in Tampa Bay last year, quarterback Baker Mayfield is having an even bigger breakout campaign in 2024. The seventh-year quarterback has completed a career-high 70.6 percent of his passes for 2,505 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a 103.6 passer rating, also the best mark of his NFL career. Mayfield has also contributed on the ground with 36 carries for 192 yards (5.3 avg.) and an additional two touchdowns. The veteran signal-caller has thrown three or more touchdown passes in an impressive five of 10 games this year.

The Buccaneers lost their top two pass-catchers in their Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. While Chris Godwin was lost for the season, fellow wide receiver Mike Evans appears set to return to action this weekend. In seven games before the injury, Evans caught 26 passes for 335 yards and played a large role in the Buccaneers’ success in the red zone, evidenced by his six touchdowns. In the absence of the two wideouts, tight end Cade Otton stepped up in a big way. Of the Buccaneers’ active pass-catchers, Otton leads the group with 49 receptions for 456 yards to go with his four touchdowns.

Tampa Bay also has a two-headed attack in the run game featuring Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. Irving leads the team in rushing with 492 yards on 96 carries (5.1 avg.), ranking second among rookies in rushing yards on the season. White has been more productive as a receiver, catching 37 passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns, while also totaling 306 yards on the ground.

The Buccaneers’ defense has allowed an average of 31.3 points during the team’s four-game losing streak and no less than 380 total yards of offense in each game during that stretch. The unit ranks 30^th in passing yards and 29^th in passing touchdowns allowed, while the run defense ranks 28^th in rushing yards per attempt.

Nose tackle Vita Vea leads the unit with five sacks on the season, while defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (four sacks), linebacker Lavonte David (three) and defensive lineman Logan Hall (three) are right behind him. Rookie safety Tykee Smith has registered a team-high three interceptions, while cornerback Zyon McCollum has the most pass breakups on the team with 10.

The Buccaneers also opened the 21-day practice window for starting cornerback Jamel Dean earlier this week. Dean has been on injured reserve since Week 6 due to a hamstring injury, but could return to game action for Tampa Bay this Sunday.