Bucs Nation
The 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are home this week to take on the NFC South leading Carolina Panthers. At 8-8, Carolina will look to secure the division and a playoff spot with a win over the Bucs. Tampa Bay, coming off a bad loss to the Miami Dolphins a week ago, didn’t do themselves any favors by dropping a much needed victory in South Florida. They couldn’t secure the victory while being down some role players and their top offensive lineman in Tristan Wirfs. But this week they’ll have all hands on deck (for the most part) to try and give themselves a chance at sneaking into the playoffs and a division title, while still being dependent on the outcome of the Saints-Falcons game Sunday.
They will have to figure things out defensively without cornerback Jamel Dean (shoulder) and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson (knee). Both were non-participants this week in practice and were ruled out for the game.
The defensive unit will at least get some help as they activated defensive tackle Calijah Kancey this week and he will suit up after spending the majority of the season on IR.
Offensively, they will be without veteran receiver Sterling Shepard.
The full list of inactives for both the Buccaneers and the Panthers are posted below.
