The 1-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without one of their best players when they take the field in Carolina Sunday to take on their NFC South division rival, the 4-7 Panthers.

Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib was held out of Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury one day after being limited during Wednesday's workout.

It's a step back for Talib, who leads Tampa Bay's defense with five interceptions this season. The Bucs could sorely missed Talib if he can't go Sunday. He held Panthers four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith to just one catch for 4 yards when Carolina and Tampa Bay met on Oct. 18.

Should he not be able to go, Talib would be replaced by cornerbacks Elbert Mack and Derrick Roberson, who saw extensive playing time in Atlanta when Talib left the game vs. the Falcons early due to the hamstring injury he's been fighting through for five weeks.

Although they're concerned, the Bucs remain optimistic that Talib might find a way to play vs. the Panthers.

"He's day-to-day. We'll just have to wait and see," Morris said of Talib. "Hopefully he can suck it up and go out there and play."

In other injury news, Bucs tackle Donald Penn (knee), wide receiver Maurice Stovall (thigh) and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) had full participation in practice Thursday.

Bucs defensive tackle Roy Miller (ankle) and defensive end Stylez G. White (hand) were limited in practice for the second straight day.

Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Clayton (knee) and defensive end Michael Bennett (toe) were held out of practice on Thursday.

Bucs running back Cadillac Williams (coach's decision) returned to practice today.

The Panthers have their fair share of injuries as well.

Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme (right finger) will miss Sunday’s game. Matt Moore will start in his place.

Carolina wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett (ankle), defensive end Charles Johnson (pectoral), cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (concussion), running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle), and defensive tackle Tank Tyler were held out of practice for the second straight day. Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee) was limited.

Panthers fullback Brad Hoover (ankle), running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), linebacker Na’ill Diggs (ribs) and guard Mackenzy Bernadeau (knee) had full participation.

DT Sims To Host Holiday Fundraiser At The Blue Martini
Tampa Bay defensive tackle Ryan Sims will host "Hope for the Holidays" Fundraiser at The Blue Martini in Tampa on Monday, Dec. 7.

The fundraiser, which will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., benefits Bay Area Foster Care Youth.

The first 50 people to make a donation online will receive a complimentary raffle ticket to win various prizes. To make a donation, visit RyanSimsFoundation.org.

For more information, call Phillip at 727-255-1360 or Prince at 727-434-1177.

RB Ward Part Of NFL Take A Player To School Program
Bucs running back Derrick Ward will accompany sixth-grade student Justin Austin to Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater on Dec. 8.

Ward is one of 34 players participating in the "NFL Take a Player to School" program. Ward will pick up Austin in a limo at his house and accompany him to school, where he will address the students about the importance of good health.

Former Bucs HC Wyche Returns To Florida
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Sam Wyche will lead Team Nitro (black jersey) in the 2010 Under Armour All-American High School Football Game.

The third annual game, which features the country's top high school seniors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. .2 at Tropican Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Wyche will coach against Ted Marchibroda's Team Blur. The coaching staffs were selected by ESPN Scouts, Inc.

Quote of the Day
Bucs head coach Raheem Morris on the news regarding his alma mater Hofstra shutting down its football program due to a lack of funds.

"It's kind of weird because it happened out of nowhere, so right now I don't really have a reaction. I'm just saddened for all my people there. I just saw two of their coaches down here recruiting yesterday, so I know it was a shock to their program and football family. It's a sad state of affairs for us."