Merriweather (ankle) has been downgraded to out for the rest of Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

The backup safety exited the game earlier in the second half. Merriweather made one tackle before leaving the contest. The rookie had 22 tackles this season and played more on special teams than defense.

Merriweather is questionable to return to Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the Lions due to an ankle injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The backup safety made one tackle before exiting. Merriweather recorded 22 tackles this season and has played more on special teams than defense.

Merriweather (thigh) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Merriweather popped up on Tampa Bay's estimated injury report as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a thigh injury, but it now seems as if he's been able to move past the issue. The rookie safety out of Iowa has appeared in 15 games for the Buccaneers thus far, recording 20 total tackles and one pass deflection.

Merriweather (thigh) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's injury report, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merriweather handled his typical snap count in Sunday's loss to the Saints, so it's not clear when he may have picked up the injury. However, the 24-year-old will still have a couple of days to make progress and recover in time for the team's Week 18 game against the Panthers.

Merriweather (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Texans, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie missed Tampa Bay's Week 8 matchup with Buffalo but played in the first six games of the season. Merriweather has only seen action, 96 snaps, on special teams in 2023 and made three tackles.

Coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Merriweather (ankle) will not play Thursday at Buffalo, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merriweather will be sidelined for the first time in his rookie season in Week 8 as he works to recover from an ankle injury he sustained Sunday versus Atlanta. He's played exclusively on special teams so far this season, so Tampa Bay will have to try to replace his production in that phase Thursday.

Merriweather is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons with an ankle injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merriweather did not come into the game with an injury designation, so it appears he sustained this ankle issue at some point during the first half of Saturday's game. The 23-year-old exclusively played on special teams through the first five games of the season for Tampa Bay, logging three tackles.