For the first time in over a month, the Bucs are coming fresh off a win and looking to go back-to-back this week versus the Carolina Panthers.

Last week, Tampa welcomed back wide receiver Mike Evans from a hamstring injury sustained in Week 7. In the star’s return, he accounted for five receptions and a team-high 68 receiving yards. 

This week, the Bucs will play a surprisingly scrappy Panthers team who, although winning just three games this season, are 1-2 in their last three games. Carolina just suffered a three-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions, thanks largely to a seemingly refreshed Bryce Young, who has shown improvement since regaining the team’s starting quarterback job.

Another Bucs Star Returning?

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

Although Mike Evans was able to suit up last week, the Bucs were still short one major piece on offense, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who was unable to play due to knee and foot injuries he suffered before the bye week. 

Wirfs was a limited participant leading up to last week’s game, so the hope is that with another week of rehab, he’ll be back healthy this week and ready to protect Baker Mayfield’s blindside.

Whether or not the team will need Wirfs to defeat the Panthers is debatable, considering the high level of play that Tampa received from backup Justin Skule last week, but the sooner this squad gets healthy, the better, as it remains in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs.

With that, here is the Bucs injury report after Wednesday:

• WR Mike Evans — hamstring — full participant
• DL William Gholston — knee — full participant 
• CB Troy Hill — ankle — did not participate 
• S Tykee Smith — knee — did not participate
• OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka — ankle — did not participate 
• OLB Markees Watts — knee — full participant
• S Jordan Whitehead — pectoral — did not participate
• LT Tristan Wirfs — knee/foot — limited participant

Panthers Injury Report

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and Panthers QB Bryce Young – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Here is the Carolina Panthers injury report after Wednesday:

• WR Jalen Coker — quadriceps— did not participate 
• TE Ja’Tavion Sanders — neck — did not participate 
• OLB Jadeveon Clowney — rest — did not participate 
• WR Adam Thielen — rest — did not participate 
• ILB Josey Jewell — rest — did not participate 
• DT A’Shawn Robinson — rest — did not participate
• CB Lonnie Johnson — personal — did not participate 
• LB Amare Barno — knee — limited participant 
• CB Caleb Farley — shoulder — limited participant 
• LB D.J. Wonnum — hamstring — limited participant 
• DE LaBryan Ray — hand — full participant