The Buccaneers are spending Wednesday's practice without their quarterback and head coach.
Todd Bowles is not with the team for the mid-week session, missing the work day for personal reasons. Assistant head coach Harold Goodwin will handle Bowles' responsibilities and speak following practice.
"He's fine," Goodwin said of Bowles, . "Just had to take care of a personal issue, but he's fine."
Tom Brady, meanwhile, was with the team Wednesday, but did not practice.
The team has set an expectation for Brady to sit out of Wednesday practices in order to rest and prevent wear and tear on his 45-year-old body. The Buccaneers, however, attributed Brady's Wednesday absence to right shoulder and right finger injuries. Brady acknowledged earlier this week he played through a shoulder ailment in Tampa Bay's Week 4 loss to Kansas City.
The Buccaneers currently sit tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South with identical 2-2 records. The two teams face off this weekend in Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers should expect Bowles and Brady to both participate, barring unforeseen circumstances.
