TAMPA — Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, but will be able to play Monday night at Detroit after undergoing surgery a week ago.

It’s a similar injury to the one he sustained to his right hand earlier this year, but the right thumb can wait to be repaired after the season.

“I actually did the same thing five months ago,” McCollum explained. “... We were trying to hold off (on the left thumb), we were trying to hold off until the bye week and they said, ‘No, it’s got to be done right now.’

“They basically told me I had to pick between Seattle and the 49ers. I’d never played in Seattle so I said, ‘I’m going to go to Seattle.’ Then I got it done so it will be good for the rest of the season now.”

McCollum generally is considered the Bucs’ best cover cornerback and signed a three-year, $48 million contract extension in September that includes $35.4 million guaranteed. He has 31 tackles and one pass defensed in five games this season.

The secondary is getting healthy at the right time. Cornerback Jamel Dean returned against the 49ers, had a sack and an interception, and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Defensive back Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) also returned to practice Thursday.

“I’m happy that it’s fixed,” McCollum said of his thumb. “It felt good (in practice). I could catch the ball, so that was the biggest thing that Bowles said, ‘If you can catch the ball, I want you out there.’

“It felt good today. Now that the brace is only to my hand, I still have my wrist so it’s not affecting me too bad.”

Seven players did not practice Thursday, including linebacker Lavonte David (knee), punter Riley Dixon (personal), receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), receiver Chris Godwin (fibula), guard Luke Haggard (shoulder), running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and running back Josh Williams (concussion).

Bryan McClendon making name in coaching circles

The Bucs obviously have put together a good staff under head coach Todd Bowles, including offensive line coach/run game coordinator Kevin Carberry and offensive line coach Brian Picucci.

But given all the injuries to their pass catchers, the work of receivers coach Bryan McClendon has stood out in the early part of this season.

With injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, the former South Carolina, Georgia and Oregon assistant has had success plugging and playing Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson and Ryan Miller.

McClendon was asked if the performance of the receivers has validated him as an NFL coach.

“Not at all,” McClendon said. “We are kind of just so wrapped up in making sure that you are helping these guys be as successful as they can be. That is something we do every single day. I tell the guys all the time there is nothing like an every-day guy. I do not quite use that language all the time, but there is nothing like a person that you know what to expect every single day.

“I just want to be that guy that can help those guys in every single way reach their full potential. That is what I am completely wrapped up in and like I said, I probably am getting way too much credit. I’m not the one out there playing and those guys are the ones that are out there doing their thing, just applying the things right now we put in place and putting good days together.”

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