Tampa Bay Buccaneers: News, Scores, Stats, Headlines, Injury Updates & More

Buccaneers vs Panthers Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, QB Matchup, Injury News, Betting Trends and Stats

Tampa Bay’s playoff odds look to increase when they host the Carolina Panthers.

Vaughn Dalzell,

Vaughn Dalzell,

2024 Season Overview

Next GameNext Game	12/29/2024 1:00 PM EST
Next OpponentNext Opponent	CAR Carolina Panthers
Standing (Division)Division Rank	2nd NFC South
WinsWins	8
LossesLosses	7
DrawsDraws	0
PPGPoints per Game	28.5
OPPGOpponent Points per Game	23.5
Head CoachHead Coach	Todd Bowles

NFL: NFC Divisional Round-Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Reports: Shaq Barrett to join Bucs’ active roster

Charean Williams,

Charean Williams,

Bucs waive DL Earnest Brown, LB Antonio Grier

Charean Williams,

Charean Williams,

Josey Jewell out, Chuba Hubbard questionable for Panthers in Week 17

Josh Alper,

Josh Alper,

04:22

Is QB Young a viable streamer against Buccaneers?

Bucs rule out Cade Otton, Antonine Winfield, Sterling Shepard

Josh Alper,

Josh Alper,

02:14

Week 17 NFL best prop bets: Target Bucs WR Evans

Rotoworld Player News

Shaquil Barrett

FA Linebacker #58

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Buccaneers signed LB Shaquil Barrett, formerly of the Dolphins.

Barrett abruptly retired over the summer after signing with the Dolphins as a free agent. The Dolphins cut him yesterday after keeping him on the reserve/retired list thus far. The 32-year-old had spent the 2019-2023 seasons with the Buccaneers prior to that, totaling a team-high 56 QB pressures in his final season with the team. Barrett rejoins an 8-7 Buccaneers squad that currently sits on the playoff bubble. He will immediately join the active roster, pending a physical.
Earnest Brown IV

TB Defensive End #97

Buccaneers waived DE Earnest Brown IV.

Brown played just 21 defensive snaps this season despite the Buccaneers’ defensive injuries. It is possible they bring him back via the practice squad. The Buccaneers also waived rookie LB Antonio Grier Jr.
Cade Otton

TB Tight End #88

Cade Otton (knee) will not play in Week 17 against the Panthers.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Otton, along with wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) will also miss Week 17’s contest. The Buccaneers find themselves in a must-win situation against the Panthers if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive. The absence of Otton and Shepard should lead to an increased target share for Jalen McMillan, who has found the end zone in three straight games, and will also open the door for Payne Durham to make another start. Durham caught 5-of-7 targets for 29 yards in last week’s loss to the Cowboys, but will be hard to trust as anything more than a boom-or-bust TE2 against the Panthers.
Jamel Dean

TB Cornerback #35

Jamel Dean (knees) was limited in Thursday’s practice.

Dean was a healthy participant on Wednesday before worryingly showing up with “knees” in the injury column on Thursday. We need more information to concretely project him to miss Week 17 but the development is certainly a net negative. The Panthers’ passing attack would have a far easier time moving the ball downfield if the Buccaneers’ No. 1 CB is sidelined.
Sterling Shepard

TB Wide Receiver #17

Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot) did not practice on Thursday.

Shepard is trending toward a Week 17 absence though he does still have Friday to participate in some capacity. The Buccaneers’ pass-catching corps is short-staffed with Cade Otton (knee) also sidelined through two practices. Should both players sit, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan would dominate targets against the Panthers.
Cade Otton

TB Tight End #88

Cade Otton (knee) did not practice on Thursday.

Otton begins Week 17 the same way he began Week 16; with two missed practices. Otton managed to practice in a limited capacity last Friday before being ruled out for Week 16. His Week 17 status could still go either way but his lack of progress is concerning. Fantasy managers should expect him to miss another game.
Sterling Shepard

TB Wide Receiver #17

Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot) was listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice.

Shepard left Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with an injury and it appears the 31-year-old may be at risk of missing Week 17 against the Panthers as well. He’ll have a couple more chances to get practices in before a final determination is made, however.
Cade Otton

TB Tight End #88

Cade Otton (knee) was listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice.

Otton was unable to play in Week 16 against the Cowboys with his knee issue, and is off to a poor start in that regard. The 25-year-old tight end got in two limited practices before being ruled out, so fantasy managers hoping to use Otton will hope he can get in a full session before that game against the Panthers.
Jordan Whitehead

TB Safety #3

Bucs opened the 21-day practice window for S Jordan Whitehead (pec).

Whitehead, who was originally thought to be out for the season when he sustained his pec injury in late November, could return as soon as Week 17 against the Panthers. Tampa could also take their team and wait for Week 18 and the postseason, if they capture a playoff berth in the coming weeks. In 11 games this season, Whitehead — who signed with Tampa in the offseason — totaled 76 tackles, three pass breakups, and two tackles for loss. The struggling Bucs secondary could certainly use a healthy Whitehead.
Payne Durham

TB Tight End #87

Payne Durham caught 5-of-7 targets for 29 yards in the Buccaneers’ Week 16 loss to the Cowboys.

Durham saw a spot start in the absence of Cade Otton, who missed Week 16 with a knee injury. Otton’s status moving forward remains unknown, meaning Durham could be called upon again when the Bucs host the Panthers in Week 17.

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