Buccaneers at Bengals injury report: Dre Kirkpatrick returns; John Ross still out

The Bengals are getting healthier, but there were still a host of players unable to practice on Thursday.

The ones who did return included Dre Kirkpatrick (Achilles), Clark Harris (concussion), Jake Fisher (back) and Bobby Hart (back). Of that group, Harris was the only one to not get in a full session, as he was limited and remains iffy for Sunday. The big name there is Kirkpatrick, who has a big test ahead of him with Tampa Bay featuring Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson at wide receiver.

Giovani Bernard (knee), Darqueze Dennard (sternoclavicular), Tyler Kroft (foot), Nick Vigil (knee) John Ross (groin) and Vontaze Burfict (hip) remained out. It’s untelling who among them will be able to play in Week 10 following a much-needed Week 9 bye. Ross is expected to miss a few weeks, so you can safely assume he’s out this Sunday.

Billy Price got in another limited session, so he’s probably not playing Sunday, even if he gets in a full session Friday. It makes too much sense to hold him out and give him the bye week to get fully healed and back up to speed before facing the Saints in Week 10.

For the Buccaneers, Gerald McCoy (calf) and Vinny Curry (ankle) remained out Thursday and appear unlikely to play Sunday. That would be two big losses for a Buccaneers defense that’s struggled mightily at times this year.

Starting running back Peyton Barber (ankle) and right tackle Demar Dotson (knee/shoulder) returned to get in a limited session. They probably need to get a full workload in on Friday to be cleared for Sunday.