The Bucs received some good news ahead of Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. game in Carolina against the 3-8 Panthers. Reserve outside linebacker Anthony Nelson will play today after missing Friday’s practice for personal reasons. Nelson traveled with the team and could start today alongside Yaya Diaby for head coach and defensive lineman Todd Bowles.

That’s important because Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was downgraded from doubtful to out on Saturday due to the ankle injury he suffered in New York’s 30-7 win over the Giants last week. The Bucs are a bit thin at outside linebacker, although Markees Watts is returning from injured reserve and returned to practice this week with the 21-day practice window now open. Watts was not activated for Sunday’s game at Carolina and therefore will not be available.

This means that Jose Ramirez will be active for the third time this season and will form a reserve alongside Nelson or Chris Braswell – depending on who ends up in the starting lineup. Ramirez also saw action in Atlanta and New Orleans in Weeks 5-6 earlier this season.

“Tristan Wirfs will be a decisive decision in the game”

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs are confident the left tackle will succeed Tristan Wirfs can go to Carolina. Wirfs, who enters Sunday as questionable, has been limited in practice this week as he returns from a knee injury suffered in Tampa Bay’s 23-20 loss to San Francisco prior to Week 10’s bye returns to the mission. Tampa Bay’s Pro Bowl offensive lineman missed last week’s game against the Giants but returned to practice earlier than expected.

If Wirfs is unable to participate, Justin Skule will make his sixth start of the year. Skule, the Bucs’ swing tackle, started four games for Luke Goedeke at right tackle from Weeks 2-5 and then last week’s game for Wirfs at left tackle in New York. He’s playing good football and the Panthers’ edge rushers aren’t nearly as impressive as the Giants were last week.

Recently signed cornerback Troy Hill, who played for the Panthers earlier this season, is the other player listed as questionable with an ankle/foot injury. Hill is expected to play. With Tykee Smith out, Christian Izien will start at nickelback with Hill as a backup in both the slot and outside cornerback.

The Bucs placed strong safety Jordan Whitehead on injured reserve this week and will start newly acquired safety Mike Edwards in place. Tampa Bay then signed linebacker Vi Jones from the practice squad to the active roster. Jones had been called up from the practice squad to the matchday squad in each of the last three games.

Here is the full injury report from the Bucs and Panthers before their game.

Bucs Friday Injury Report

Panthers injury report from Friday

• WR Jalen Coker – Quadriceps – Did not participate – ejected
  

  Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales – Photo by: USA Today

• TE Ja’Tavion Sanders – neck – did not participate – out
• OLB Amare Barno – knee – full participation – questionable
• OLB Jadeveon Clowney – knee/rest – limited participation – questionable
• CB Caleb Farley – Shoulder – Limited Participation – Questionable
• S Nick Scott – hamstring – full participation – questionable
• LB Josey Jewell – Rest – Full Participation
• S Lonnie Johnson – in person – full participation
• T Taylor Moton – rest – full participation
• DE LaBryan Ray – Hand – full participation
• EN A’Shawn Robinson – rest – full participation
• WR Adam Thielen – Hamstring/Rest – Limited participation
• OLB DJ Wonnum – thigh muscles – full participation