The Bucs will have to impact the quarterback without Jason Pierre-Paul again in Week 4, as the outside linebacker did not make the trip to New England. Pierre-Paul has been nursing a shoulder injury that held him out in Week 3. He worked his way back to limited participation in Friday’s practice, but wasn’t healthy enough to play. Pierre-Paul could return in Week 5 against the Dolphins.

Unfortunately, the hits kept coming for Tampa Bay on Saturday. No. 1 cornerback Carlton Davis, who practiced all week with an abdomen injury, is now questionable. The Bucs are already without fellow starting cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean. Davis is by far the team’s best cornerback, and has been terrific this season.

The Bucs promoted veteran CB Pierre Desir to the active roster in response to Davis’ designation. DT Khalil Davis was shockingly waived to make room for Desir. CB Rashard Robinson was also elevated from the practice squad for Week 4. The Bucs also have 5-time All-Pro Richard Sherman waiting in the wings. Sherman was signed on Wednesday morning. Originally, Sherman was not expected to play against New England. But given the Bucs current injury concerns, he’ll likely see the field at least a little bit.

The Bucs will face the Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. They’ll square off with Tom Brady’s old team without the service of TE Rob Gronkowski, RB Giovani Bernard, WR Scotty Miller, Pierre-Paul, Dean, Murphy-Bunting and perhaps Davis. A tall task, to say the least.