Chiefs-Bucs to be played in Tampa as scheduled despite Hurricane Ian

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' home matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night won't be moved amid the fallout from Hurricane Ian, the team announced Thursday.

The NFL was considering shifting the game from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to the Minnesota Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium, but after consulting with local and state agencies, the Buccaneers said they've decided the contest will go ahead as scheduled.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many thousands in the Southwest Florida region who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ian," the team said in a statement. "We are also very thankful that the Tampa Bay area was spared the most damaging consequences of this powerful storm."

The NFC South club practiced at the Miami Dolphins' facility this week ahead of the storm's landfall on Florida's west coast. The league said Wednesday that it was hopeful the game wouldn't need to be moved.

The Buccaneers (2-1) and Chiefs (2-1) are looking to bounce back in prime time after both suffered their first losses of the season in Week 3. Tampa Bay fell to the Green Bay Packers, while Kansas City was upset by the Indianapolis Colts.

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