Ayers is considered questionable to return to Monday's game versus the Falcons due to a neck injury.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers exited the game late in the third quarter after suffering the injury. He had posted one solo tackle during his time on the field. Expect an update on his status once the team provides more information regarding the extent of his injury.

Ayers (concussion) posted two solo tackles -- one for loss -- in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defensive end returned from his two-game absence and posted at least two tackles for the sixth straight game. Ayers is currently posting his lowest sack total (2.0) since his 2012 campaign in Denver, but his pair of stops against the Lions allowed him to eclipse the 29 tackles he'd amassed in his debut campaign with the Buccaneers in 2016.

Ayers turned in a full practice Thursday and has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers' full participation in practice Wednesday hinted that the worst of the concussion was behind him, and his removal from the protocol a day later indicates that he received clearance from an independent neurologist to play Sunday against the Lions. With 28 tackles and two sacks across 10 games this season, Ayers isn't a major IDP asset, but he's viewed as a key rotation player along the Bucs' defensive line.

Ayers (concussion) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers' unrestricted participation was certainly encouraging after a two-game absence, but head coach Dirk Koetter also emphasized that the veteran defensive end is yet to be cleared by an independent neurologist. More definitive news on that aspect of Ayers' recovery should be available in the coming days.

Ayers (concussion) is listed as out for Sunday's Week 13 tilt against the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran pass rusher will miss his second consecutive game, as he's apparently yet to clear the league-mandated protocol for head injuries. Ryan Russell is likely to draw the start in Ayers' stead, while Patrick O'Connor, who was promoted from the practice squad last Tuesday, should see a solid amount of snaps in the rotation as well.

Ayers (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Falcons, Roy Cummings of WFLA NewsChannel 8 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers has 28 tackles (17 solo) and two sacks this season, and he would be helpful in keeping pressure on the league's seventh-ranked pass offense. William Gholston (neck) will be back for Sunday's game, though, which will shore up the edges of the Bucs' defensive front while Darryl Tapp and Ryan Russell play in Ayers' place.

Ayers (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

While he was battling the same ankle injury, Ayers was deemed questionable heading into the Week 10 win over the Jets, ultimately suiting up and supplying three tackles across 48 defensive snaps in the victory. With Ayers coming out of that contest no worse for the wear and turning in a full practice session Friday, he should be on tap for a full workload in the interstate matchup Sunday.

Ayers (ankle) posted four tackles (all solo) and one sack in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Jets. He compiled four quarterback hits overall.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defensive end played well while nursing an ankle injury for the second straight week, as he's now compiled nine tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble over that span. Ayers has all three of quarterback takedowns on the season within the last four games, and his 26 tackles through nine games leave him just four short of eclipsing the 29 he posted in his first Buccaneers season in 2016.

Ayers (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 10 tilt against the Jets, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As he did in Week 9, the veteran defensive lineman will fight through his ankle injury and attempt to slow down veteran signal caller Josh McCown and a running game that will be helmed by Bilal Powell, with Matt Forte (knee) taking a seat this week.

Ayers (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers fought through an ankle injury in Week 9, and ultimately recorded a season-high tackle total to go along with a sack. The veteran defensive end was held out of practice earlier in the week before logging a limited workload Friday. It is unclear if the team is just exercising caution with Ayers during the week or if the injury is a serious threat to his status for Week 10. Darryl Tapp would presumably fill in at defensive end should he be unable to go.