Greg Gaines Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Saints vs Buccaneers game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 24, 2025
Ready for Sunday
Gaines (toe) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The veteran defensive tackle upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to a full session Friday, suggesting he's moved past his toe injury in time to suit up Sunday. Gaines has appeared in all seven of Tampa Bay's games this season, recording five total tackles, including 1.0 sacks. He's expected to serve as one of the team's top reserve defensive linemen in the Week 8 divisional matchup.
Oct 23, 2025
Logs limited practice Thursday
Gaines (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
A toe injury prevented Gaines from participating in Wednesday's walkthrough. He was back at practice Thursday in a limited capacity, and Friday's injury report will indicate his chances of playing Sunday against the Saints. Gaines' availability could be even more crucial, given that Vita Vea popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a foot injury.
Oct 22, 2025
Nursing toe injury
Gaines (toe) did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines likely picked up the injury during Monday's loss against the Lions, when he logged one tackle while playing 19 snaps on defense. The severity of his injury isn't clear given Wednesday's practice was a walkthrough, so the next two practice reports will shed light on his chances of playing against the Saints on Sunday.
Oct 2, 2025
Full practice Thursday
Gaines (pectoral) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Gaines was considered a non-participant at the team's walkthrough Wednesday, but he now appears to be on track to play in Week 5. The 29-year-old will likely operate in a reserve role behind Logan Hall and Elijah Roberts on the defensive line Sunday in Seattle.
Sep 28, 2025
Nursing pectoral injury
Gaines is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Eagles due to a pectoral injury.
ANALYSIS
With Gaines unlikely to return and C.J. Brewer (coach's decision) inactive, Elijah Simmons is set to see more rotational snaps on the defensive line alongside Elijah Roberts, Vita Vea and Logan Hall for the rest of Sunday's game.
Mar 12, 2025
Sticking in Tampa
Tampa Bay will sign Gaines to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines was about as productive on a per-snap basis in 2024 as he was in his first season with the Bucs in 2023, and his role didn't truly shrink, but his numbers were slightly deflated because he missed two games in the middle of the season with a calf injury. He figures to play a moderate, non-starting role on the interior of Tampa Bay's defensive line again in 2025.
Jan 24, 2025
Modest numbers in '24
Gaines provided 17 tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, across 15 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
The veteran played his fewest snaps (374) since the 2020 season with that total also representing an 81-play downturn from his 2023 Buccaneers debut campaign. Gaines primarily served in a rotational role on the defensive front, and he went into the offseason on the heels of his most productive game of 2024 by recording six tackles over 26 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. Given Gaines' minor role and the fact he'll be 29 by the time next season begins, it's likely Tampa Bay lets him explore his options when he hits the open market at the start of the new league year.
Nov 10, 2024
Good to go for Week 10
Gaines (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines has missed the Bucs' last two games due to a calf injury, but he will return for Sunday's contest and serve as the backup nose tackle behind Vita Vea. Gaines has logged six tackles (two solo) through seven regular-season games.
Nov 2, 2024
Ruled out again
Gaines (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines suffered a calf injury in the leadup to Week 8 against the Falcons. He was unable to practice Thursday and Friday, and the injury is severe enough that the 2019 fourth-round pick will be sidelined for a second straight game. Gaines' next chance at suiting up will be Week 10 against the 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 10. C.J. Brewer stepped into the backup role at nose tackle behind Vita Vea against the Falcons in Week 8, and the former finished with three solo tackles, including 2.0 sacks.
Oct 25, 2024
Won't play vs. Falcons
Gaines (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines popped up on the Bucs' injury report Thursday with a calf injury, which forced him to sit out of Friday's practice. The injury is severe enough for the 2019 fourth-round pick to be ruled out for Sunday's contest, and he'll work on making himself available for Tampa Bay's Week 9 contest against Kansas City on Monday, Nov. 4. Gaines has served as Vita Vea's primary backup at nose tackle this season, but C.J. Brewer will step up into that role with Gaines sidelined.
Mar 11, 2024
Staying in Tampa Bay
Gaines and the Buccaneers agreed on a one-year contract Monday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines spent the 2023 campaign with Tampa Bay, compiling 24 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, while also recovering a fumble over 17 contests. He'll provide the team with a veteran reserve option behind Vita Vea at nose tackle again in 2024.
Mar 18, 2023
Signs with Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers signed Gaines (Biceps) on Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines will head to Tampa after recording 36 tackles (16 solo) and four sacks for the Rams last season. The 2019 fourth-round pick underwent a labral and bicep tendon repair back in January, but he is expected to be fully recovered for the offseason and should look provide solid depth behind Vita Vea next season.
Jan 20, 2023
Undergoes bicep procedure
Gaines recently completed a labral and bicep tendon repair, and he's expected to make a full recovery in approximately two months, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines sustained the injury during training camp, but he ultimately played through it and put off surgery until the Rams' season came to an end, per Schefter. The 312-pounder isn't expected to have any limitations throughout the offseason.
Nov 21, 2022
Returns with a pair of sacks
Gaines logged two sacks during Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Saints.
ANALYSIS
Gaines returned from a one-game absence and made an impact with his second and third sacks on the season, including breaking up a trick play with a big sack on Andy Dalton for a 13-yard loss. Gaines also saw a huge uptick on playing time, taking the field for 91 percent of the team's defensive snaps, a number he hasn't reached since Week 5.
Nov 17, 2022
Logs full practice Thursday
Gaines (elbow) practiced fully Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines suffered an elbow injury ahead of Week 10 and was forced to miss Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. After improving from his limited practice Wednesday, Gaines is in line for a Week 11 return against New Orleans. Expect Jonah Williams and Bobby Brown to see their roles increase if Gaines suffers any setbacks.
Nov 13, 2022
Won't play Sunday
Gaines (elbow) is inactive Sunday against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
Gaines was doubtful coming into the day, so his inactive status does not come as a surprise. With him unable to play, Jonah Williams and Bobby Brown should see an uptick in snaps against Arizona.
Nov 11, 2022
Doubtful to play Sunday
Gaines (elbow) is considered to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines played 46 defensive snaps during the Rams' Week 9 loss to the Buccaneers, but he appears to have sustained an elbow injury at some point in this contest. The nose tackle did not practice at all Week 10, so it would be surprising to see him play much, if at all, against Arizona on Sunday. If Gaines is inactive, expect Jonah Williams and Bobby Brown to possibly see their biggest roles of the season versus the Cards.
Nov 9, 2022
Misses practice Wednesday
Gaines (elbow) was a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines has dressed in every game this season for the Rams, but that streak could be in jeopardy Sunday against the Cardinals. The defensive lineman will have two more opportunities to join his teammates on the practice field as he looks to avoid his first absence of 2022.
Jan 2, 2022
Ready to go for Week 17
Gaines (hand) is active for Sunday's contest against the Ravens, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
As expected, Gaines will be available for Week 17 after undergoing a procedure Monday to correct a hand injury he suffered in the Rams' Week 16 win over Minnesota. On the season, Gaines has recorded 48 total tackles and 4.5 sacks across 15 games.
Dec 31, 2021
Questionable against Baltimore
Gaines (hand) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines underwent a procedure on Monday to correct a hand injury he suffered in Sunday's win over Minnesota. However, he is still expected to play in the Rams' Week 17 matchup after logging a limited practice Friday. Gaines has recorded 48 total tackles and 4.5 sacks across 15 games on the season.
Dec 27, 2021
Undergoes surgery, expets to play
Gaines (hand) underwent surgery Monday but is still expected to play in Sunday's matchup with the Ravens, J.B. Long of the Los Angeles Rams Radio Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines injured his hand in the Rams' Week 16 matchup with the Vikings. He is expected to cast up following surgery and play through it.
Dec 26, 2021
Questionable to return
Gaines (hand) is questionable to return Sunday against the Vikings, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaines' absence is a blow to the Rams' defensive line, where he has been a steady presence all season. Until he is able to return, Bobby Brown and Michael Hoecht will see extra work in the middle of the Rams' defensive line.
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