The Bucs are down bad at wide receiver, losing Chris Godwin to a season-ending ACL tear against the Saints. Fellow starter Mike Evans is also nursing a sore hamstring, making his availability against the Panthers an unknown. But help is on the way. According to Bruce Arians, wide receiver Breshad Perriman could be available in Week 16. Perriman was placed on the COVID list last week, missing the matchup against the Saints.

“Very close, from what I’m hearing,” Arians said on Wednesday about Perriman’s pending return.

Bucs WR Breshad Perriman – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Perriman has done very little since being added to the roster about six weeks ago. He has four catches and two drops on nine targets for just 82 yards. However, Perriman did catch the game-winning 58-yard score against the Bills in overtime. That’s more than can be said for Tyler Johnson, who played far more snaps without scoring this season.

If Perriman can return against the Panthers, the Bucs wide receiver room could look very odd. Obviously if Mike Evans can play, he and Antonio Brown will start, with Johnson playing in the slot a good bit. Perriman will likely share some of those Godwin-snaps as well. If Evans can’t go, expect Perriman and Brown to start with Johnson on Sunday.

The Bucs travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers in Week 16.