DETROIT — The Detroit Lions and their banged-up secondary will have a tough challenge against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

Buccaneers wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and Mike Evans (hamstring) are expected to play. It’s been a week of questions for the two stud receivers.

Egbuka suffered his injury last week, and it sounded like an issue that would keep him out for the trip to Detroit. Evans has been back at practice this week, and all signs point to him playing on Monday night.

Baker Mayfield is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate, and he’s managed to do it without Evans for most of the season. Egbuka has been a major part of that, catching 27 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns to start his career.

The Lions are stretched thin in the secondary. They will be without cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed, and defensive back Avonte Maddox, as well as safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

Branch is suspended for one game. Joseph is getting a well-deserved week off to let his knee injury calm down ahead of the bye week.

Arnold was back at practice, but the Lions are letting him head into the week away with another week of rest for his injured shoulder. Maddox, who provides depth at nickelback and safety, will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. And Reed has two games left on his stint on injured reserve.

Look for Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin to start at outside cornerback for the second straight week. Arthur Maulet filled some reps in the slot against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions signed Maulet to their main roster on Monday, so expect to see more of the veteran in the team’s nickel looks.

Back at safety, expect Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett II to fill the roles left by Joseph and Branch. Detroit also signed Jammie Robinson earlier this week, and it feels like he boosts the depth in the slot and back deep at safety.

The Lions also elevated veteran corner Tre Flowers and safety Loren Strickland from the practice squad for Monday night’s game against the Buccaneers.

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