The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants named their game-day inactives on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, 95 minutes before kickoff of their Week Three contest at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. NFL teams are required to reduce their active rosters to 46 players for each regular-season game.
For the first time since they became teammates in 2015, linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander will miss the same game due to injury. LB Kendell Beckwith will continue to replace Alexander in the middle while Adarius Glanton will get the start in David's place. The Buccaneers likely won't have three linebackers on the field at the same time often, as the Giants commonly run their offense out of a three-receiver set.
Tampa Bay's defense will get back several players who missed last week's game in Minnesota. CB Brent Grimes has been cleared from his shoulder injury to return to action, while DT Chris Baker has recovered from the flu and will start in his normal spot. In addition, DE Jacquies Smith will be active for the first time since the 2016 season opener, having recovered from his knee injury his own bout with the flu.
The Giants placed linebacker J.T. Thomas on injured reserve late in the week. However, of the four players listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, only running back Orleans Darkwa has been deactivated. Bobby Hart, who is listed as the team's starting right tackle, is also inactive. LG Justin Pugh will move to right tackle, with RG John Jerry sliding over to replace Pugh. D.J. Fluker gets the start at right guard.
BUCCANEERS INACTIVES
- LB Kwon Alexander
- TE Antony Auclair
- LB Lavonte David
- C Joe Hawley
- DT Sealver Siliga
- S T.J. Ward
- T Leonard Wester
Alexander, David and Ward are out due to injury.
GIANTS INACTIVES
- RB Orleans Darkwa
- TE Matt LaCosse
- T Bobby Hart
- CB Michael Hunter
- DE Avery Moss
- LB Deontae Skinner
- QB Davis Webb
Darkwa is out due to injury.
