Vincent Jackson Injury: Updates on Buccaneers Star's Ribs and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 12

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com confirms Vincent Jackson is active for Week 6:

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson is questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens while battling a rib injury.

CSN's Clifton Brown had official word on his status:

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times did note that Jackson returned to practice Friday:

Jackson has been one of the most consistent, productive wideouts in the NFL over the past half-decade, and he's had over 1,000 yards receiving in five of his last six seasons. The pairing of him and rookie first-rounder Mike Evans gives the Bucs two massive targets in the passing game.

An offseason regime change altered the course of the franchise and led to a ton of roster turnover. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times highlighted just how different the offense alone looks in 2014:

Despite the metamorphosis the Bucs are in the midst of under new head coach Lovie Smith, Jackson has been optimistic about Smith's handpicked starting quarterback, journeyman Josh McCown.

Before the season began, the star pass-catcher expressed confidence in his chemistry with McCown, who reunited with Smith after their time together in Chicago, via ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas:

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I think a lot of it has to do with (McCown's) savviness on the field. He's a very smart guy. He understands space and location and separation on routes and the way the dimensions of a defense work. We've spent a lot of time away from the facility, going to high schools and spending some time talking through some things and running some basic routes and getting a feel for each other. I think that relationship is only going to continue to grow.

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Now it will be up to Evans to step up and assert himself if Jackson can't return soon. The veteran presence and lead-by-example persona Jackson brings to the receiving corps will be difficult to replace, but Evans has the talent to keep Tampa Bay explosive.

Running back Doug Martin will likely become an even bigger focal point of the offense until Jackson returns. Beyond Jackson and Evans, the Bucs have very few weapons in the passing game, which features the likes of Louis Murphy, Chris Owusu and tight end Brandon Myers. Rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins could also see some extra targets.

The NFC South is stacked and full of explosive offenses, particularly in New Orleans and Atlanta. Thus, Jackson will need to be in the lineup for Tampa Bay to have any chance at making the playoffs, because the conference overall also makes qualifying through a wild-card spot tough.