The Bucs received some good news prior to Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. game at Carolina against the 3-8 Panthers. Reserve outside linebacker Anthony Nelson will play today after missing Friday’s practice due to a personal reason. Nelson traveled with the team and could start opposite Yaya Diaby today for head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles.

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

That means that Jose Ramirez will be active for the third time this season and will be a reserve along with either Nelson or Chris Braswell – depending on who winds up getting the start. Ramirez also saw action at Atlanta and at New Orleans in Weeks 5-6 earlier this season.

Tristan Wirfs To Be A Game-Time Decision

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

The Bucs are hopeful that left tackle Tristan Wirfs can go in Carolina. Wirfs, who heads into Sunday listed as questionable, was limited in practice this week as he returns to action from a knee injury that occurred in Tampa Bay’s 23-20 loss to San Francisco prior to the bye in Week 10. Tampa Bay’s Pro Bowl offensive lineman missed last week’s game versus the Giants, but returned to practice sooner than expected.

If Wirfs can’t go then 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 don’t have edge rushers that are nearly as formidable as the Giants had 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 get the start at nickelback with Hill as a reserve in the slot as well as at 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 signed linebacker Vi Jones from the practice squad to the active roster as a result. Jones had been elevated from the practice squad to the gameday roster in each of the last three games.

Here is the full injury report for the Bucs and Panthers ahead of their game.

Bucs Friday Injury Report

• 

  Bucs NCB Tykee Smith and Chiefs TE Travis Kelce – Photo by: USA Today

  DB Tykee Smith – knee – did not participate – out

• OLB Markees Watts – knee – full participation – out
• S Jordan Whitehead – pectoral – did not participate – out
• OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – ankle – limited participation – doubtful
• CB Troy Hill – ankle/foot – limited participation – questionable
• OLB Anthony Nelson – personal – did not participate –  questionable
• T Tristan Wirfs – knee/foot – limited participation – questionable
• WR Mike Evans – hamstring – limited participation
• DL Will Gholston – knee – full participation

Panthers Friday Injury Report

• WR Jalen Coker – quadriceps – did not participate – out
  

  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 – personal – full participation
• T Taylor Moton – rest – full participation
• DE LaBryan Ray – hand – full participation
• DE A’Shawn Robinson – rest – full participation
• WR Adam Thielen – hamstring/rest – limited participation
• OLB D.J. Wonnum – hamstring – full participation