The Bucs’ inactive list for Week 7 hold few surprises. Three of the names were set on Friday, when Tampa Bay ruled out wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on its final injury report. Winfield misses another game with the rib injury that has sidelined him for the last two weeks.

The team elevated inside linebacker Caden Fordham from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s trip to Carolina. Fordham will fill Christian Rozeboom’s spot on special teams now that Rozeboom was placed on Injured Reserve. Unlike last week, there’s no elevated quarterback this time.

Bucs Inactives

Players Inactive for Today’s Game vs. Carolina (10/25):

#2 WR Emeka Egbuka
#24 CB Ayden Garnes
#31 S Antoine Winfield Jr.
#67 T Luke Goedeke
#75 G Billy Schrauth
#90 DL DeMonte Capehart

Elevation:
#46 LB Caden Fordham

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) October 25, 2026

With Egbuka out, the team will need other receivers to step up. Chris Godwin’s usage in Zac Robinson’s offense has been a hotly debated topic this week. By process of elimination (Egbuka not being available) those concerns will likely be put to rest for at least one week. Tampa Bay could use some help from young receivers Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson as well. Something to look out for is if newly activated receiver David Sills V figures in the receiver rotation given his familiarity with Robinson’s offensive system and veteran status.

On the line, either Ben Chukwuma or Justin Skule will get the start at right tackle in place of Goedeke, while Luke Haggard earns a hat as a reserve.

The rest of the list follows recent weeks. Billy Schrauth and DeMonte Capehart remain reserves along the offensive and defensive lines. Cornerback Ayden Garnes joins them now that Benjamin Morrison is healthy to suit up.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr., CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Panthers Inactives

Week 7 Inactives vs. Tampa Bay: No Jaelan Phillips this week

https://t.co/qUfNwIOE82

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 25, 2026

On the other side, Carolina will be without outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, running back A.J. Dillon, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, quarterback Haynes King, center Sam Hecht, offensive tackle Stone Forsythe, and defensive tackle TeRah Edwards.

Phillips is the big name after Carolina signed him to a gaudy four-year, $120 million contract this offseason to help fix their pass rush. He became more critical to their defense after they lost second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton for the season during training camp. The move has paid off as Phillips has 2.5 sacks and 18 pressures through five games. Him being out is a notable blow to their defense.

With no Phillips, the Panthers are likely to start Princely Umanmielen and Patrick Jones II, offsetting the loss of Goedeke to a degree.