Ayers (ankle) will play Sunday against the Raiders.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers is slated to see his first game action since Week 2, while Noah Spence figures to move out of the starting lineup.

Ayers (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's Week 8 matchup with the Raiders, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers was able to practice in full Friday, a positive sign for the defensive end, who hasn't played since Week 2. If he remains unable to return Sunday look for Noah Spence to see the start once again.

Ayers (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers participated for the first time since suffering the ankle injury Week 2, albeit in shorts as the Buccaneers limited his activity. If he's unable to return to game action Sunday against the Raiders, Noah Spence figures to once again get the start at defensive end.

Ayers (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers didn't practice in any capacity this week. Noah Spence will start in his place.

Ayers (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers has yet to practice since getting in a limited session back on Oct. 6 and hasn't played since exiting the Week 2 tilt versus the Cardinals with his injury. With fellow lineman Clinton McDonald (hamstring) not practicing and Gerald McCoy (calf) still limited, the Bucs could find themselves significantly short-handed again in Week 7 versus the Niners. Ayers' progress will be checked again following Thursday's session.

The Buccaneers have officially ruled Ayers (ankle) as inactive for Mondays game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This status is unsurprising considering Ayers was unable to participate in practice during the week. Noah Spence figures to fill in on the right side of the defensive line, and Howard Jones could see an increased role providing depth as well.

Ayers (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's game.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers has not practiced at all this week which suggests that he may not be available for Monday's contest. Due to the nature of ankle injuries, the expectation is that he'll be forced to watch from the sideline, but ultimately that decision won't be made until game-time. If he's unable to give it ago, DaVonte Lambert could see an increase in snaps.

Ayers (ankle) is not a participant at Saturday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers' chances at playing Monday against the Panthers don't look promising at this point, having missed practice both Friday and Saturday. If he's held out, Noah Spence (shoulder) figures to get the start at defensive end given he avoids any setbacks to his injury throughout the weekend.

Ayers (ankle) did not participate in Friday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ayers' inability to practice Friday is a bit concerning given that he practiced in a limited fashion Thursday. Using logical reasoning, it is fair to suspect that his ankle ailment could have gotten worse over the past day. While there is a chance that Tampa Bay opted to hold Ayers out of practice for precautionary reasons, his status for Monday appears to be in stark jeopardy.

Ayers (ankle) was back on the practice field and stretching during the open portion of practice Thursday, but wasn't wearing pads, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although it qualifies as progress since it marks the first time Ayers has been seen on the field since his injury, the development doesn't serve as any kind of clear indicator of the lineman's chances of a Week 5 return to face the Panthers. Despite the fact that Clinton McDonald has considerably picked up some of the pass-rushing slack in Ayers' absence, the Bucs will go into an already tough road tilt against the Panthers on Monday night especially handicapped in their ability to pressure Cam Newton if both Ayers and Noah Spence (shoulder) are forced to miss the contest.