The Bucs travel to Detroit for a 2023 Divisional Round playoff rematch against the Lions Sunday afternoon. Both teams have come out of the gate hot with 1-0 starts. The Lions are home favorites, but the Bucs hope their banged-up defense can help keep Detroit’s high-powered offense in check enough for their suddenly hot offense to stay out in front.

That banged-up defense will be missing starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Calijah Kancey this week. For Kancey it is the second consecutive game that he will miss. In addition to those two defensive back Josh Hayes will miss the game due to injury while newly signed defensive lineman Ben Stille and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez are healthy scratches.

Players Inactive for Today’s Game vs. Detroit (9/15/24):

#31 S Antoine Winfield Jr.
#32 DB Josh Hayes
#33 OLB Jose Ramirez
#56 DL Ben Stille
#67 T Luke Goedeke
#82 TE Devin Culp
#94 DL Calijah Kancey

Elevated from Practice Squad:

#91 DL Mike Greene
#95 DL C.J. Brewer

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) September 15, 2024

Meanwhile on the offense only one starter is out for the game. But he is a big one, both literally and figuratively. Right tackle Luke Goedeke will miss today’s game due to a concussion. In his stead swing tackle Justin Skule will get the start and likely have to face off against star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Winfield will be replaced in the starting lineup by Christian Izien who was last year’s starting nickelback. The Bucs will welcome back starting defensive lineman Logan Hall who also missed week one to help bolster the defensive interior. Mike Greene and C.J. Brewer were also elevated from the practice squad to help in that area as Still continues to get acclimated to the Bucs playbook. Hayes will be replaced on special teams by a combination of rookie Tyrek Funderburk and recently re-signed Keenan Isaac.

Lions Also Banged Up On Defense

The Lions are dealing with some injuries on defense with starting defensive end Marcus Davenport out with a groin injury and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu missing his second straight game with an ankle injury. Melifonwu isn’t a starter for Detroit, but he is a key part of their defense as he comes in for nickel packages and allows Brian Branch to slip down to the slot. With his absense the Lions may keep Branch up top more.

#TBvsDET inactives presented by Henry Ford Health pic.twitter.com/oogww6SwIr

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 15, 2024

The Lions had listed right tackle Penei Sewell on their injury report all week and officially had him listed as a limited participant in Friday’s practice with a ‘Questionable’ designation for Sunday’s game, but he is active and will start.