The Bucs are set to take on the Panthers in Carolina in Week 18 with a win-or-go-home scenario in place. If 8-8 Tampa Bay beats 2-14 Carolina, the Bucs would win the NFC South division for a third straight time and the second time with head coach Todd Bowles at the helm.

But if the Bucs lose and fall to 8-9, either the Falcons or the Saints, who play each other on Sunday in New Orleans, would win the division.

There is strong speculation that head coach Todd Bowles could be fired after two straight 8-9 finishes, especially if the Bucs miss the playoffs this year. Yet Bowles navigated a season with a team that had a rookie offensive coordinator and play-caller in Dave Canales, a new quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who replaced Tom Brady, over a dozen rookies on the roster and nearly $80 million in dead salary cap money. So the Glazers will have to take that into consideration when deciding who will lead the Bucs in 2024.

So with so much riding on today’s game, Sunday’s Bucs injury update is of utmost importance. The team listed six players as questionable on Friday, including quarterback Baker Mayfield (ribs), cornerback Carlton Davis III (concussion), wide receiver Rakim Jarrett (quadriceps), tight end Ko Kieft (shoulder), wide receiver Trey Palmer (hip) and inside linebacker K.J. Britt (calf).

Sunday Update For Bucs Injuries

Bucs ILB KJ Britt – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On Saturday, Britt was downgraded to doubtful, and outside linebacker Cam Gill was added to the injury list as questionable with a knee injury.

Bucs sources told Pewter Report on Sunday morning that every player on the injury list will be a true game-time decision at the stadium based on pre-game workouts, but Mayfield, Davis, Kieft and Jarrett are the most likely to play, as all were full participants at Friday’s practice. Jarrett was activated from injured reserve on Friday and the team waived defensive tackle Deadrin Senat.

Mayfield made progress with his rib injury throughout the week and will start the game. Backup quarterback Kyle Trask will be ready in the event of injury or ineffectiveness, as he took extra reps in practice this week.

Because of his Saturday downgrade, Britt is the least likely to suit up on Sunday in Carolina.

The Bucs listed reserve defensive tackle Mike Greene, who is in the 21-day window for returning from injured reserve, as out with his calf injury despite him being a full participant in practice all week. If Greene were to play in the playoffs should the Bucs win and clinch the division on Sunday, the Bucs would have to make a roster move to clear a spot for his return from I.R. on the 53.