Both teams are pretty banged up, though the Panthers report for the most part is cut and dry.
Carolina Panthers Injury Report
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Philly Brown | WR | Illness | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Jerricho Cotchery | WR | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Thomas Davis | LB | Chest | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
Dwan Edwards | DT | Non-Injury | DNP | FP | FP | Probable |
Luke Kuechly | LB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Josh Norman | CB | Non-Injury | FP | DNP | FP | Probable |
Amini Silatolu | G | Ankle | FP | LP | DNP | Out |
Jonathan Stewart | RB | Tibia | DNP | DNP | FP | Probable |
Charles Tillman | CB | Non-Injury | FP | DNP | FP | Probable |
Mike Tolbert | FB | Groin | DNP | DNP | FP | Probable |
Daryl Williams | OT | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Luke Kuechly is still out once again, meaning that he will likely return after the bye week as long as he's cleared. Unfortunately, it has been difficult to figure out how bad Luke Kuechly's injury was and how long he would be out, as Ron Rivera threw around optimism for the last three weeks but continues to be vague about the details until the announcement of his status has come every week. This is a good lesson in remembering that not all concussions are created equal.
Jerricho Cotchery is still dealing with a high ankle sprain which could keep him out past the bye week, while backup guard Amini Silatolu seems to have gotten injured during practice this week. This leaves the Panthers shorthanded yet again at offensive tackle, as Daryl Williams is still recovering from his knee injury. The bye week is well times this year, however this week the only backups on the offensive line are Chris Scott and Fernando Velasco, neither of which you'd like to see at tackle. It's possible the Panthers call T David Foucault up from the Practice Squad this week as insurance, though I wouldn't be surprised if they roll the dice here either.
Everybody else on the report either got a veteran day off or got a day or two off to recover from a minor injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury report
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Johnthan Banks | CB | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Chris Conte | S | Hip | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
George Johnson | DE | Neck | LP | LP | FP | Questionable |
Doug Martin | RB | Knee/Quad | - | DNP | LP | Questionable |
Gerald McCoy | DT | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins | TE | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Russell Shepard | WR | Hamstring | - | - | LP | Questionable |
Evan Smith | C | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Donovan Smith | T | Knee | DNP | LP | FP | Questionable |
Luke Stocker | TE | Hip | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Major Wright | S | Abdomen | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
Starting C Evan Smith will most likely be out on the offensive line, meaning backup Joe Hawley will be filling in. CB Johnthan Banks is also a starter, so he will be replaced by either Mike Jenkins or Tim Jennings, both veterans. The Bucs also appear to be going in very shorthanded at tight end, with Austin Seferian-Jenkins still dealing with an injury after a great week one and Luke hobbled with a hip. Brandon Myers will start while I'm sure Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will get more targets in the passing game.
They have a lot of guys listed as questionable, but per Sander Phillipse at Bucs Nation:
(Donovan) Smith, (Doug) Martin, Gerald McCoy, George Johnson, Russell Shepard and Major Wright are all listed as questionable officially, but they should all suit up on Sunday.
There goes any pipe dreams of not having to face Gerald McCoy on Sunday. As I said earlier this week, Gerald McCoy can take over the line of scrimmage and the Panthers will need to game plan for him to get him out of Cam's face. Videos of Trai Turner mauling defensive lineman have surfaced over each of the last two weeks, hopefully he can keep the streak going.