The Bucs are changing up their gameday hats this week with a veteran who has consistently been active throughout the season sitting out while a new, but familiar face gets an opportunity to play. The team released their gameday inactives today and there was one big surprise on the list.

Tampa Bay @Buccaneers Players Inactive vs. Carolina:

#3 LB Anthony Walker Jr.
#16 QB Connor Bazelak (3QB)
#17 WR Sterling Shepard
#38 S Rashad Wisdom
#79 G Elijah Klein
#82 TE Devin Culp
#92 DL Elijah Simmons

Elevations:
#91 OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
#97 DL Adam Gotsis

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) December 21, 2025

Sterling Shepard Not Active For Bucs

Sterling Shepard, who has averaged 35 snaps per game this season, will not be active for the Bucs’ week 16 matchup against division rival Carolina Panthers. Shepard was always supposed to be a depth option for Tampa Bay, but with early-season injuries to Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans, he was quickly elevated to a more prominent position on the depth chart.

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

But with all three of those players back healthy and active, Shepard has returned to a lower spot on the depth chart. He was active last week but did not play any offensive snaps. This week, the team has elected to keep him inactive while still dressing six other receivers.

Jason Pierre-Paul Returns

As Pewter Report reported yesterday, outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul has been elevated from the practice squad and will be active for the game. Pierre-Paul last played in the NFL in 2023 and last played for the Bucs in 2021. The team has struggled to get the pass rush production they desire out of the outside linebacker position, so they are turning to a trusted face who helped them win Super Bowl LV.

Bucs OLB Jason Pierre-Paul – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Pierre-Paul is nearing his 37th birthday and was signed just over a week ago, so his snaps will likely be limited to a specific package. But his experience and leadership may be just what the team needs to develop a spark that will launch them to perhaps their 5th consecutive division championship. A win in Carolina would put them in prime position to do just that.

Carolina Panthers Inactives

The Panthers had a significant starter make their inactives list, as left tackle Ikem Ekwonu will not be able to make a go of it due to a knee injury. This provides a potentially advantageous matchup for JPP, Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick, going up against backup Yosh Nijman. Here is the full list of the Panthers’ inactives.

• WR Hunter Renfrow
• LB Trevin Wallace
• S Demani Richardson
• DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
• LT Ikem Ekwonu
• TE James Mitchell
• DT Tershawn Wharton