HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On what WR Mike Evans was able to do in his return to practice, and what it would mean to have Evans back)

"He was limited. He did some things – obviously, he did some things very well. We've just got to monitor it throughout the week. But, just to see him in a helmet right now, coming out there in the jersey and doing some of the things that he's doing, is very encouraging for us."

(On if there's an update on the status of WR Emeka Egbuka)

"No different. It's a strained hamstring."

(On if there's a potential timeline for T Luke Goedeke's return)

"When he gets out there and practices, I'll have a better ballpark. Until now, he's rehabbing like the rest of them. I honestly don't have one right now until I see him out there running around doing something. I don't have a ballpark estimate of him right now."

(On if he expects Goedeke to return this season)

"I would hope he's back, yes. He should be."

(On OL Mike Jordan's status)

"He did some things today, too. He did some things well and we've got to monitor him throughout the week, but he's trending in the right direction."

(On the importance of the turnover battle against the Detroit Lions)

"Those decide the games – it's clear to see. Obviously, we've been doing a great job offensively not turning it over and creating ones of late on defense. Against a really good team this time of the season, it's going to be critical coming down to the end of the ball game."

(On if it's important to make QB Jared Goff uncomfortable and move him outside of the pocket)

"It's important to get to him and try to keep him off balance, but I think he throws well once he gets off his spot, as well. It's going to be very important for us to plaster receivers and make sure his first and second reads are taken care of. He's a great quarterback – he's having a hell of a year. It's going to be tough sledding, but everybody's got to be on their P's and Q's back there."

(On what the Kansas City Chiefs did well against Detroit in Week 6)

"They've got a good defense. Detroit shot themselves in the foot a couple times, but Kansas City's got a good defense. I thought 'Spags' (Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) did a good job of trying to take away things he wanted to take away."

(On facing the Lions for the fourth time in the past three seasons, and how QB Baker Mayfield and the team has 'grown' in each of the past meetings against them)

"I think they're tough every weekend, honestly. It doesn't matter whether it's Detroit, San [Francisco], Kansas City, our division – those games are tough every week. When you play a team that has as much talent as they have, quality matchups, taking care of the football is important, but it's also important for everybody to do their job. That's really about the gist of it."

(On being able to limit San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey in Week 6, and the growth of LB SirVocea Dennis this season)

"He's settling down. He's settling down – making the defensive calls, getting everybody lined up, doing everything he has to do and still doing his job. He was a little bit antsy to begin the season. He's kind of quietly settling down a little bit. He's playing faster, making more plays – [you're] seeing the guy we saw in the spring."

(On the challenges that the Detroit Lions' offense poses, being nearly 50/50 in their usage of pass versus run)

"There's a bunch of them. Like you said, they're 50/50. They do a great job of self-scouting themselves. With the two great running backs, you can't key them because they've got the great receivers on the outside as well along with the tight ends. It makes it a very hard challenge. Everybody has got to do their job, everybody has got to be disciplined, and it's going to come down to us making plays."

(On if open-field tackling and red zone defense was the key to last year's win against the Lions, and if that will be the same for this upcoming game)

"That's what it was last year. I'm not sure what it's going to be this year, but they've got some guys that can play in the open field and make you miss quite a bit. I thought we limited them – I didn't think we stopped them completely – but I thought we did a good job limiting them last year. Again, that was last year. We can't take that into this year. The game plans will be different, some of the players are different, and we've just got to play a complete game."

(On Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown)

"Not only is he a great receiver, he's a great blocker as well. Not many of them can catch it, run routes inside and out, and block and compete at every level. He hardly ever comes out for a breather – he's in there 99% of the time. He's a hell of a problem for everybody [and] nobody's solved it yet. We've just got to try to limit it and tackle him when he does catch it and try not to give up the big play."

(On why CB Jamel Dean is playing some of the best football of his career right now)

"It clicks. It takes a few years to get it all down and become a seasoned vet. He's healthier, number one. When he was healthy, he always played decent football. I think the mental part of it is clicking with the physical part right now. He's not thinking as much – he's just playing ball. He feels free, and he's doing a great job."

(On if there's an update on the health status of cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum)

"They practiced today. They had full practices today. We've got to see where their wind is at the end of the week, but they're coming around."

(On if he is aware of the praise that the Buccaneers and QB Baker Mayfield are receiving from the fans and the national media)

"I'm aware of quite everything, but it's Week 7. You don't pay that any mind. You try to get better and you try to make it a stretch run. If the season was seven games, I would be extremely happy. The season is 17 games. We have a long way to go. We're not too high on it. We understand it. We appreciate it. From a football standpoint, we've got a lot of work to do with ourselves. It's a long season."

(On how WR Mike Evans' presence changes how teams defend the Buccaneers)

"He draws a double team. It helps the run game, number one, because it keeps a safety out of the box, plus another corner out of the box. Obviously, he's our go-to guy when he is healthy. Because of his size, his height, [and] his intelligence to adjust off of routes and everything else – every little thing he does causes a problem for the other team and it makes our other guys better."

(On Detroit Lions EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson)

"He's a huge concern. Last year he had five [sacks] on us, so he's still playing the same way. He came back from his injury great. He's got a great motor off the ball. He has a very good intelligence – that's underrated – of the ball game and the players that he goes against. He's going to be a handful."

(On how pleased he is with the play of wide receivers Kam Johnson and Tez Johnson)

"For those two guys to step up and play the way they did with everybody going down, it just showed the professionalism and the preparation that they paid attention to without getting all the reps. It was outstanding."

(On WR Tez Johnson thinking he was the player receiving the MVP chants in Week 6)

"I saw that. Interesting."

(On if WR Tez Johnson's diving catch was 'MVP caliber')

"It was seven-on-seven MVP caliber."

(On the key to defending a team that utilizes a lot of trick plays and creative play calling)

"Discipline. It's really discipline. Everybody has got to do their job and read their keys."

(On how he feels the club's pass defensed has evolved compared to last season)

"It's coming. It's coming around. It's not where I want it to be. We give up about two or three plays a game, whether we fall down or whether we bust…That's getting lower and lower. It's coming along. Those guys are understanding it better. They're communicating a lot more. It's still a work in progress, but it's far better than what it was last year."

(On the team's depth at the cornerback position)

"We needed the depth this year, obviously, with [Benjamin] Morrison and Zyon [McCollum] out and then [Jamel] Dean out before. [Kindle] Vildor stepped in – he's a vet, very smart, very intelligent football player. [Jacob] Parrish is playing like a vet – I mean, he's a rookie, but he's playing like a vet. For the most part, they've kind of stayed healthy with the exception of [Benjamin] Morrison. The safeties have – knock on wood – stayed healthy thus far. From a health standpoint, I think we're doing a better job, but you don't want to test the depth too much."

(On facing former Buccaneers assistant coach and current Detroit Lions Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers)

"Kacy is like David Ruffin – he's going to be singing like the Temptations when he goes into the meetings [laughs]. We understand that, and we know that quite a bit. He's been in this defense a long time. We just have to play our game and tweak certain things. We can't worry about who's on the other side of the ball right now. It'll be great to see him and knock him upside his head one time after the game – but it'll be a good battle."

(On if he has to prepare to defend all four downs as they get ready to face the Lions and Head Coach Dan Campbell)

"Yeah. We know that's the trend this year. We know they like to go for it anyway. With the ball coming out to the 35- and the 40-[yard line], you're pretty much in four-down territory almost every series. We understand that."

(On how the four-man pass rush is working so far)

"They picked it up last game [and] did a very good job getting pressure that way. [We've] just got to continue."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On Detroit Lions' EDGE Aidan Hutchinson)

"[He is a] great ball player. The guy, obviously, talented as all get out, but just zero quit. [He] continues to play through the echo of the whistle. He kind of embodies everything that [Head Coach] Dan Campbell wants that team to be about."

(On people saying he has the same said about him as EDGE Aidan Hutchinson in regard to his tenacity)

"Some might."

(On going up against the Detroit Lions for the fourth time in three years)

"It is another opportunity each week, but obviously, with it being Detroit and how they have been in recent years, at the top of the NFC, it is a great matchup. When it comes to their mentality and how they play, you have to match that intensity and try and set the precedent early on. I think our guys are up to that challenge. I think that is what we are trying to embody as well, so it is just another good opportunity. [It] happens to be on the road on a Monday night."

(On if he relishes the opportunities to test himself against good teams)

"Yes. I mean, each week is extremely important, do not get me wrong, but anytime you are playing the teams that are always considered as playoff teams -- the teams that are at the top of your conference -- that is important as a measuring stick for confidence [and] how good we can execute and do the little things right against great teams. You do not have to go above and beyond, but you have to do your job and do it at a high level. Had a home test last week, got a really good away test this week, and especially with all the noise that we are expecting."

(On WR Mike Evans practicing again and how he changes the offense)

"Obviously, Mike [Evans] draws a lot of attention. You have to expect that and then for our coaching staff -- which they have done a great job -- how to get him isolated in one-on-one situations, how to get him the rock and we have to take advantage of those opportunities. Also, understanding the other side of it, is when he does draw a lot of attention, guys have to step up and do their jobs at a high level. There are a lot more pros that come with it than cons. He gets double teamed every once in a while, but that is just an opportunity for somebody else to step up."

(On his reaction to seeing WR Mike Evans step on the field)

"It is a good safety blanket. It is nice to see him out there"

(On what stands out to him about the Detroit Lions' secondary)

"They have done a really good job with [the] turnover battle this year. [It] starts with Kerby Joseph, he is just a true ballhawk all around in tape. [It is] not just their secondary, but their linebackers do such a good job making it hard on you. Those guys have played a lot of ball together and you can really see that on tape. [I am] expecting a good challenge. Obviously, they are banged up in the secondary, but they have good linebackers, they can kind of play out of any personnel they want. Also expecting Alim McNeill back, which he brings his own challenges as well."

(On if the game against the Detroit Lions will come down to who turns the ball over less)

"Yeah. I am not an analytics guy by any means, but when you look at turning the ball over on the road, especially in an environment like that, you just cannot have it. It just gives them so much momentum, the crowd gets more involved. First and foremost, ball security is always the most important thing and especially on the road against a good opponent. That just means everybody is doing their job, whether it is pass protection, holding onto the ball as a running back, quarterback getting out on time at the right place and tucking it when I need to."

(On what he has done to cut down on turnovers this season so far)

"Mentally, you can put more of an emphasis on it. There are times where I am taking chances and I think there [are] some throws early on, especially you look at Week 1 Atlanta, some turnover-worthy plays, for sure that just did not happen to go that way. It is a balance of understanding where we are at in the game, needing to take shots, certain things like that and just being on the good side of things this year. Hopefully, [we] keep that rolling."

(On if he saw something in coverage on WR Tez Johnson's 45-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers)

"[It] was supposed to go across the field, good adjustment on his part. Safety is waiting on the other side for him, so he just takes it up the middle. It is not necessarily a busted coverage, they had it covered well if it is you run the drawings on the paper, but Tez [Johnson] making an adjustment on the fly. That is huge for a rookie to be able to do and do it confidently in the midst of a game like that, especially in that moment."

(On if he got a laugh out of WR Tez Johnson thinking the "MVP" chants were for him)

"I get a kick out of him and 'Shep' (Sterling Shepard) interacting every single day. You guys got a little dose of that on camera, but that is everyday life here at One Buc Place."

(On the success Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon has had with the wide receiver room over the last couple of years)

"He has done a hell of a job. 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon) does our two-minute presentations and just the details he has -- his meetings -- I can only imagine, they are flying 100 miles per hour. He goes quick, so you better be paying attention and then I know those guys, obviously if they have questions, he is always doing his extra walkthroughs with them, communicating with them on different looks. He has just done an incredible job of not just talking to guys like, 'Okay, here is the starting group for our 11 personnel, here is what we got,' everybody has to be dialed in and he has obviously made sure everybody is paying attention."

(On how big it is for him to help develop the young guys on offense)

"That is a key aspect of leadership. One, you have to know your job and do it well but also empower the guys to feel like they can go above and beyond. That is a huge thing in leadership, is instilling confidence. It is not a false confidence, though. It is making sure they really have it down and then at that point they realize it, and then they take it on their own. Those guys have done a good job and now we just trust them."

(On if the adversity he went through during his career makes his current success any sweeter)

"No. Wins are wins. We are sitting at 5-1 and you look at the only interception I have had is when we lost. You look at that, I look at how do we win? That is what I am worried about and focused on. Our team, I believe in it. I said it from training camp, I like the young guys that we have, I like the people that we have. Obviously, it is never ideal when you are having to move people around all the time, do not get me wrong, but nobody cares; nobody feels bad for you, so you have to find a way to make it work."

(On how he instilled confidence in himself after joining the Buccaneers in 2023)

"No, at that point -- confidence-wise -- prior to that, probably during the mid-lull of the Browns, the Carolina, that time period. After 2023, realized [I] have to find the joy in football again and enjoy wherever I am at and be a good teammate and trying to do everything I can."

(On when he starts to look at the standings for the season, especially with the team being in first place in the NFC)

"There is a lot of ball left. [I am] not looking at the standings. You do that, you consider if we were looking at the standings the last couple of years here in Tampa, probably would have gone in the tank. There is a lot of ball left."

(On if going to the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 helped get his confidence back)

"Yeah, that was a huge point. They were not going to the playoffs, had a five-game stretch, just seeing how much I can possibly learn from those guys out there and find the fun in football again, and just enjoy it. That was a huge point."

(On what makes a defense good at defending the deep pass and what he can do as the quarterback to overcome it)

"Communication in the secondary but also pass rush. When your offensive line allows you to have time to throw it down field and push it down the field, there is a big difference there. They have guys that can influence that on the front. There will be times that we try to push it down the field, but this is a game [of] how well we can execute and keep that defense on the field and just go out there and do our job."

(On seeing QB Jared Goff playing "at an MVP level")

"I love Jared [Goff], great guy. Like I have told you guys before from somebody that can relate to needing a fresh start somewhere else, it is good to see that story. Everybody loves a good underdog story or whatever it is, go through adversity, come out the other side stronger. That is life and that is what football can teach you."

(On why he thinks people have "latched on" to his story in the NFL)

"I do not know. Kind of just mentioning there through the whole journey, just trying to be myself and admit that I do not have it all figured out and I am learning along the way, and I am not afraid to admit that, just enjoy it."

CORNERBACK ZYON MCCOLLUM

(On how his thumb feels after getting surgery on it)

"Thumb is feeling good, feeling fixed. I am blessed that it is fixed, super grateful for all the people that helped me get it fixed, and [it is] time to get back to football."

(On how the defense can replicate the success they had last season against the Detroit Lions)

"Continuing to stay hungry, continuing to have that hunting mentality. Last time we went out there, we had a lot of injuries and so, a lot of guys knew that it was going to be an effort, that it is what is going to separate us in this type of game. It is no different now, we are blessed enough to have some guys back on this defense, but we are still hungry, and we just need to bring that same appetite that we did last time."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles saying the pass coverage defense has improved since last year, but can still improve)

"I would have to agree with him. I think it is getting better, but the sky is the limit and until we are leading the league in takeaways, pass defense [and] total defense… We are not going to be satisfied until there are some things we continue to clean up week-in, week-out, and we are going to keep doing those things."

(On Detroit Lions' QB Jared Goff)

"He is smart, he knows who his playmakers are, and he can get the ball out of his hands really, really fast. He can read the defense, so it is going to be big for showing him different looks and making him think that he has something and then taking it away, because if you just line up, he is going to pick you apart all the way down the field."

(On how hard it is as a defender to play against an offense that is as effective in the run game and in the pass game)

"For me, it is not difficult. You just have to have your eyes in the right spot. You have to focus on the right things. If you are on the field to stop the run, then make sure you do your job and stop the run. If you are on the field to stop the pass, then make sure you are doing your job to stop the pass and trust the people next to you. If all 11 people are doing that, then we will have success."

CORNERBACK KINDLE VILDOR

(On the biggest challenge going up against the Detroit Lions)

"It is going to be a physical team. I was there for the past two years, so [I know] it is going to be very physical. We just have to make sure that we match that physicality and everything like that. They [have] good players on both sides of the ball, offense and defense. For the defense, we just have to make sure we go out there and be ready to compete and do our jobs."

(On the importance of tackling in the open field against the Detroit Lions' running backs)

"Oh yeah, definitely with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, two dynamic backs. One of the top duos in the league, personally to me. [With Amon-Ra] St. Brown, 'Jamo' (Jameson Williams), all those guys, it is an elite group on the offensive side of the ball, and we just have to collectively swarm together and get multiple bodies to the one defender."

(On QB Jared Goff's ability as a quarterback)

"I feel like he is a veteran quarterback. He has been in the league for pretty much 10 years, [he has been] in multiple systems and everything. I feel like with his height, he can see over the line of scrimmage. [He has] good chemistry with the receivers; they work all the time after practice. I [have] much respect for him, it is going to be a challenge, but we are up [for] it."

(On his interception versus the San Francisco 49ers)

"We [were] in coverage and just being patient and reading. I just saw the quarterback getting ready to throw the ball [and] I just made a break on it...Just could not stay on my feet."

(On if he would have stayed on his feet after his intercepting the ball and ran it back for his first touchdown)

"That would have been amazing. [My] first touchdown probably since like high school, so it will come back, hopefully."

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