When the Bucs take the field on Sunday they will likely do so without punter Bradley Pinion. While he has not been officially ruled out, the seven-year veteran has been dealing with a hip injury. Head coach Bruce Arians said Friday there will be multiple game-time decisions, with Pinion likely in that category. Adding to that notion. the team announced they have elevated punter Sterling Hofrichter from the practice squad.

Pinion was recently under fire from Arians after a poor outing in the loss against the Saints.

“Our punter and our kicker,” Arians said. “Both have to do a better job and be accountable. They’re both very talented, and games like that you can’t miss field goals and punt poorly. And we did that.”

Arians seemed to believe the injury didn’t account for Pinion’s bad performance, even though the punter was on the injury report last week. Pinion has been on the injury report every day this week, but was a full participant and was not given an injury designation for the team’s Week 16 game.

“It’s just his play,” Arians said about Pinion in Week 15. “I don’t think the injury had anything to do with it.”

On the season, Pinion is averaging 42.4 yards a punt which is 29th in the league.

The Bucs also announced the elevations of running back Kenjon Barner, defensive lineman Benning Potoa’e and receiver Cyril Grayson. Barner will likely assume return duties with rookie Jaelon Darden sidelined on the reserve/COVID list. Grayson will provide the receiving corps an extra body with Mike Evans sidelined and Breshad Perriman still on reserve/COVID. Meanwhile, Potoa’e fills in for the injured Pat O’Connor and reserve/COVID listed Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

The Bucs face off against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte Sunday at 1pm.