NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Giants, Packers, Seahawks

Buccaneers

Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter said they expect second-round S Justin Evans to start Week 5’s game.

“Justin Evans is going to get his first start. He’s getting real close to being ready to break out,” Koetter said.

Evans mentioned he feels that he did well filling in for Keith Tandy (hip) and that he is ready for the opportunity.

“I feel like I handled it pretty good,” said Evans, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. “I didn’t know I was going to play that much, but I was ready for it. It’s a big thing, just because if I ever do start starting, if something happens to another safety and I have to go in, then I already have a feel for it.”

Safeties T.J. Ward and Tandy are currently doubtful for Week 5 with hip injuries.

Giants

• According to Ian Rapoport, the Giants plan to start G Brett Jones when he returns from injury, even though D.J. Fluker impressed the team with his performance last week.

Packers

Packers CB Damarious Randell told reporters on Wednesday that the incident that led to him being benched last week was an “internal matter” and they have addressed the situation.

“A lot of y’all was explaining, wasn’t you?” Randall said, via Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “It was an internal matter, and everything is handled.”

Randall did say he has some growing up to do.

“Just kind of growing up,” Randall said. “Just being a little bit more professional.”

As for Packers HC Mike McCarthy, he reiterated that it’s an internal matter that has already been addressed by the team.

“As far as getting ready for football games, we’re going about it like we always have,” McCarthy said. “Damarious Randall’s situation is, it’s internal, it’s been addressed and we’re moving forward.”

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll indicated the Seahawks DE Cliff Avril‘s neck injury could potentially be career ending.

“Could be. Could be. We are going to go very slowly and make sure takes all the opportunity to talk to as many people as he wants to, to make sure he knows what he’s got, and what we need to do with it,” said Carroll, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Carroll added the team does not know if they will bring back Avril after this year.

“We are just going to take care of him and make sure that he is well, and if he wants to come back, and if we want to bring him back, we’ll let you know when we know, but right now we dont,” said Carroll.