Which Bucs Players Are Out, Game-Time Decisions?

When asked about the status of Lavonte David, cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive lineman Mike Greene, head coach Todd Bowles said, “They will be out.”

Bowles was then asked about Devin White and SirVocea Dennis and responded, “Devin is out. SirVocea has a long way to go.”

Bowles discussed the depth the team has at linebacker given all of the injuries to that room.

“I feel good about them (Britt and Russell) stepping up. I think they’ve played before – they got in the game last year against Atlanta. K.J. has been here a couple of years [and] he’s a natural born leader. J.J. can tackle. I feel good about them playing.

When asked if Britt would set the defensive alignments he replied, “That will be K.J.”

Bowles discussed Carolina’s offense by saying: “I think you’ve got to stop the run game. The quarterback does a heck of a job in the pocket – he’s very elusive. He’s been sacked a lot, but he’s gotten away from way more. I think he’s been sacked 40-something times, but he’s gotten away 60-something times. That’s going to be a problem within itself. When he has time to throw, he’s very accurate and can throw the football. We think they’re dangerous. This is a division rivalry – the records are out the window.”

Bowles Addresses Additional Injury News

Yesterday wide receiver Chris Godwin was also added to the Bucs injury report with a neck injury. Bowles expanded on the news during his media availability.

“He’s been dealing with it (a neck injury), but it re-aggravated yesterday,” Bowles said.

When asked whether he knew if Godwin would play on Sunday at this point Bowles said, “It’s going to be a game-time decision.”

If Godwin cannot go Bowles discussed who would fill in.

“Trey [Palmer] will step in,” Bowles said. “[Deven] Thompkins will step in. Obviously, [David] Moore will play. We’ll kind of go from there.”

Last week the Bucs placed rookie receiver Rakim Jarrett on injured reserve. Moore is currently on the practice squad and would need to be elevated to be available for Sunday with the team currently only rostering four receivers. This could also mean the team uses more 12 personnel with two tight ends on Sunday.

Bucs Are Reeling

These injuries couldn’t come at a worse time for the Bucs as they are 1-6 over their last seven games while losing ground in the NFC South. The team is also playing a potentially dangerous 1-10 Carolina Panthers team that just fired their head coach and have nothing to lose at this point in the season.

Last year the Bucs faced the Panthers at a similar juncture just two games after the fired former head coach Matt Rhule. Despite being healthier at the time, the Bucs lost to the Panthers, 21-3.

Lavonte David has been having another strong season in his illustrious career. In 10 games he has recorded 90 tackles, 14 for a loss, three sacks, three passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Devin White has played poorly overall with 69 tackles, three for a loss, two sacks, three passes defensed and an interception. This is a contract year for both players.

David will likely be invited back by the Bucs as long as he wants to continue to play whereas White will likely be somewhere else next year.