The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers named their game-day inactives on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, 90 minutes before kickoff of their Week 17 contest at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. NFL teams are required to reduce their active rosters to 46 players for each regular-season game.
Though the Buccaneers have recently placed a handful of players on various reserve lists, including running backs Doug Martin and Charles Sims, the only player on their active roster who is out of the season finale due to injury is defensive end William Gholston. Gholston will miss his second straight game after hurting his elbow in Week 15. Tampa Bay's season-opening offensive line is back together, however, as right tackle Demar Dotson has returned from a three-game absence due to a concussion.
Carolina will be without starting defensive end Charles Johnson, who is out with a foot injury. Kony Ealy is expected to start in his place. Starting quarterback Cam Newton (right shoulder) has been cleared to play but if the Panthers have to go to a second passer it will be third-stringer Joe Webb. Derek Anderson, who started in Newton's place when the two teams met in Week Five, is out due to illness.
In addition, linebacker Luke Kuechly will miss his sixth straight game after sustaining a concussion in Week 11.
BUCCANEERS INACTIVES
- G Caleb Benenoch
- DE Will Gholston
- QB Ryan Griffin
- DT John Hughes
- WR Bernard Reedy
- DE Channing Ward
- T Leonard Wester
Gholston is out due to injury.
PANTHERS INACTIVES
- QB Derek Anderson
- RB Cameron Artis-Payne
- LB Jeremy Cash
- T Dan France
- DE Charles Johnson
- LB Luke Kuechly
- DT Paul Soliai
Anderson, Johnson and Kuechly are out due to injury or illness.
