The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that the following two players are inactive for Saturday's NFC Divisional Playoff against the Washington Redskins: DT James Cannida and QB Trent Dilfer. Tampa Bay only had to declare two inactives, since the placement of T Paul Gruber and G Ken Blackman on injured reserve has left the Bucs' roster at just 51 players. The Buccaneers and the Redskins will each declare four additional players inactive 90 minutes prior to kickoff, which is set for 4:15 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.
CB Donnie Abraham, who has been nursing a right hamstring strain and has missed practice the last two days, returned to the field today. Abraham, along with DT Brad Culpepper (right foot sprain), is listed as probable, though both are expected to be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
WR Reidel Anthony (left quadricep strain), who was upgraded to probable yesterday, was downgraded to questionable after leaving practice early. Anthony began this week listed as questionable on the team's injury report and returned to that status after re-injuring his quad near the end of Thursday's workout.
G Frank Middleton (right knee sprain) and G Jorge Diaz (right knee sprain) did practice and are listed as probable for Saturday's contest.
Sixth-year pro Pete Pierson will make his first start of the season in place of LT Paul Gruber. Gruber, who broke his right tibia against the Bears in the regular season finale, was placed on injured reserve on January 5. This Saturday's game will mark Pierson's seventh career start and his first such assignment since September 29, 1996 against the Detroit Lions.
