Sep 25, 2018 3 min read

Jameis Winston is back on the job, though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still aren’t saying if it’s as the team’s starting quarterback.

Winston’s three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy ended Tuesday, the first day the fourth-year pro was permitted to return to the team’s training facility and have contact with coaches and teammates.

It was a day off for players following Monday night’s 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, however coach Dirk Koetter said the first overall pick from the 2015 draft showed up bright and early, ready to begin preparation for the Chicago Bears.

What Koetter declined to say was whether Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has the Bucs off to a 2-1 start while throwing for more than 400 yards in a league-record three consecutive games will start Sunday.

“I know there’s a lot of interest in the quarterback thing. I did talk to both Jameis and Fitz,” Koetter began.

“It’s great to see Jameis back in the building. He was here early and working hard. We welcome Jameis back, glad to have him. Short week,” the coach added. “He assured me he was ready to go, which I don’t doubt for a minute that’s he’s been working hard.”

Without elaborating, Koetter said he shared the team’s plans with both quarterbacks.

“We know what we’re going to do. Both guys know what we’re going to do,” the coach said, “I hope everybody can appreciate it doesn’t do us any good to tell our opponents what we’re going to do. That’ll work itself out as the week goes on.”

Winston started 45 of 48 games over the past three seasons, going 18-27 while throwing for 11,636 yards, 69 touchdowns and 44 interceptions. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner has topped 4,000 yards passing twice, but has yet to lead Tampa Bay to the playoffs.

Fitzpatrick, a 35-year-old journeyman who played for seven teams in 14 seasons, has thrown for 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns in Winston’s absence.

Surgery for Rams’ Talib: Los Angeles Rams cornerback Aqib Talib will undergo surgery Thursday to repair an ankle injury.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that a timetable for Talib’s return will not be known until after the procedure is completed and the full extent of the injury he sustained in the second half of the 35-23 win over the Chargers on Sunday is determined.

“It depends on once you get in there. We’ll find out once that surgery takes place,” McVay said.

Talib has six tackles, two passes defended and one forced fumble in three games this season, helping the Rams limit opponents to 199 yards passing per game and two touchdown passes.

The Rams acquired the 2016 All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl defensive back in a trade with Denver for a fifth-round pick in the offseason.

Bills make trade, sign OL: The Carolina Panthers have addressed their injury-depleted offensive line by acquiring veteran Marshall Newhouse in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo acquired a conditional draft pick from Carolina.

The Bills then filled Newhouse’s spot by signing offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles to a one-year contract.