The Bucs can clinch their third straight NFC South title with a win over the Saints at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, but they’ll be without a couple of defensive starters in their quest to do so. The gameday inactives include outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and cornerback Carlton Davis III.

Players Inactive for Today’s Game (12/31):

#7 OLB Shaquil Barrett
#11 QB John Wolford (3rd QB)
#24 CB Carlton Davis III
#41 TE Ko Kieft
#51 LB J.J. Russell
#56 DT Deadrin Senat
#73 OL Brandon Walton

Elevated from Practice Squad:
#38 CB Derrek Pitts Jr
#89 TE David Wells

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) December 31, 2023

Of course, there were no surprises when the Bucs’ inactives came out. Todd Bowles ruled Barrett, Davis and tight end Ko Kieft out on Friday, then Tampa Bay elevated cornerback Derrek Pitts Jr. and tight end David Wells from the practice squad on Saturday.

Bucs Will Turn To Key Depth Pieces With Absences Of Davis, Barrett

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

Zyon McCollum, as he’s done several times this season with Davis and Jamel Dean battling injuries, will step in and start at cornerback. He and Dean will look to slow down Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and the rest of the New Orleans passing attack.

With Barrett out, Tampa Bay will need its other pass rushers to step up and pressure Carr. The good news for the Bucs, though, is that they’ve gotten plenty of contributions from other outside linebackers, whether this year or last. Heading into Sunday, Yaya Diaby leads the team in sacks with 6.5. He can be expected to produce, but Todd Bowles will need more from some others.

Anthony Nelson is no stranger to starting games, as he was the one who had to step up when Barrett tore his Achilles last year. Nelson has three sacks and six tackles for loss this year, and more will be asked of him on Sunday. Getting more from Joe Tryon-Shoyinka would be a help as well, as he is stuck on four sacks and seven tackles for loss heading into Week 17.

It’s also worth noting that undrafted free agent Markees Watts is active for Sunday’s game against New Orleans.

Saints Get Good News Ahead Of Game With Bucs

Saints RB Alvin Kamara and Bucs NCB Christian Izien – Photo by: USA Today

The Saints already had a few key players ruled out before the weekend began, with Ryan Ramczyk on injured reserve and both Marshon Lattimore and Michael Thomas unable to come back from injured reserve just yet. Payton Turner is another one who was questionable for the game, but found his name on the inactives list Sunday morning.

#Saints inactives today:
•QB Jake Haener
•DB Cameron Dantzler
•RB Kendre Miller (ankle)
•DB Lonnie Johnson (knee)
•DE Isaiah Foskey (quadricep)
•LB Monty Rice

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) December 31, 2023

The key name missing from the inactives list is that of running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara was dealing with an illness, putting his status for Week 17 in question. But after reports emerged that he would be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Bucs late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, that proved to be the case.

New Orleans can put off Tampa Bay winning the division on Sunday afternoon, but it also has its own division title and playoff hopes in play. A loss would drop the Saints to 7-9 on the year and put their postseason hopes in severe danger. They take on the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday to close out the regular season.