Role unclear, but Bucs' Bates likely to make Atlanta trip

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head to Atlanta with a full squad that is likely to include demoted defensive coordinator Jim Bates.

Head coach Raheem Morris relieved Bates of his duties Monday and will call the defensive signals himself while Bates is expected to accompany the team to the Georgia Dome on Sunday and have input from the press box level.

There was some question whether Bates would make the trip and what his role would be for the rest of the 2009 season.

"We talked about it because he (Bates) can help us in so many ways up in the box,'' Morris said after a Friday practice in which every Tampa Bay player participated. "I want him to come and he wants to come. More than likely, he'll be there with us.''

Morris declared the Buccaneers "healthy'' as they seek their first road win since beating the Lions more than a year ago. Safety Tanard Jackson was back on the field after skipping Thursday's practice with an illness and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) and middle linebacker Barrett Ruud (ribs) appear ready to face the Falcons, who have dropped four of five after a 4-1 start.

Atlanta's leading rusher, Michael Turner, is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that sidelined him last week.

Coach Mike Smith said Turner will be a game-time decision while two other key starters, left tackle Sam Baker (elbow) and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee/groin), are nursing injuries.

With Morris now in charge of a struggling defense, Tampa Bay's secondary will focus on neutralizing Tony Gonzalez, who was acquired from Kansas City in the offseason. The NFL's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns at the tight end position, Gonzalez tops Atlanta with 52 catches, including 19 on third down.

"He's a problem,'' Morris said of Gonzalez, a 13-year veteran who has reeled off 141 consecutive games with at least one reception. "Whenever you're that big, that physical and can create so many things with your hands, he's a great safety blanket for any quarterback in this league and he's always been. We've got to figure out a way to stop him this week.''