Despite some spectacular wins this season, the Bucs are currently hoping for a Christmas Miracle in order to win the NFC South for the fourth year in a row. 

Last week, Tampa lost a heartbreaker to the Cowboys due to some freakish turnovers that the Dallas defense forced to squeak out a win on Sunday Night Football 26-24. 

Now, the Bucs need some help from the Washington Commanders against the Atlanta Falcons. If the Bucs win their final two games of the season and the Falcons lose this week or in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers, Tampa will secure a playoff spot.

Let’s focus on this week and look at who we can expect to suit up for Tampa against the Panthers.

Bucs Starter Returns

Bucs S Jordan Whitehead – Photo by: USA Today

This week, the Bucs can expect the return of starting safety Jordan Whitehead. 

There were high hopes for the Super Bowl safety duo of Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. when Tampa brought back Whitehead from the Jets this offseason. Unfortunately, both have dealt with injuries this season, limiting their time on the field together. 

Coming off of a pectoral injury, it’s unclear how close to 100 percent Whitehead will be in his first game back, but considering the secondary’s struggles this season, any help will be a welcomed addition as Tampa tries to make a final playoff push.

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

• C Graham Barton — illness — did not participate 
• LB K.J. Britt — ankle — full participant 
• S Mike Edwards — illness — did not participate 
• WR Mike Evans — rest — limited participant 
• DL William Gholston — knee — full participant 
• DL Logan Hall — shoulder/wrist — full participant 
• RB Bucky Irving — back/hip — limited participant 
• S Christian Izien — pectoral — did not participate 
• WR Kameron Johnson — ankle — full participant 
• S Kaevon Merriweather — knee — limited participant 
• TE Cade Otton — knee — did not participate 
• WR Sterling Shepard — hamstring/foot — did not participate 
• S Jordan Whitehead — pectoral — full participant 
• S Antoine Winfield Jr. — knee — did not participate 
• LT Tristan Wirfs — foot/knee/ankle — limited participant 

Panthers Injury Report

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

Here is the Carolina Panthers injury report after Wednesday:

• OT Taylor Moton — knee— did not participate 
• CB Chau Smith-Wade — illness — did not participate 
• CB Jaycee Horn — hip — did not participate 
• RB Chuba Hubbard — not injury-related/rest — did not participate 
• OLB Jadeveon Clowney — knee — full participant 
• OT Ikem Ekwonu — shoulder — full participant 
• G Cade Mays — illness — full participant 
• ILB Josey Jewell — quadriceps/hamstring — full participant 
• WR Xavier Legette — hip/wrist — full participant 
• DT A’Shawn Robinson — knee — full participant 
• LB D.J. Wonnum — shoulder/knee — full participant 
• QB Bryce Young — hamstring — full participant