Mike Evans is not playing today, in the biggest game-time decision for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The receiver is officially inactive due to a hamstring strain that's been bothering him since the second week of the preseason. Louis Murphy will start in his place, and both Adam Humphries and Russell Shepard should see snaps in three- and four-receiver sets.
Evans is the only significant injury for the Bucs, though backup cornerback Mike Jenkins is also out -- his absence won't be hugely noticed due to the recent signing of Tim Jennings, though. Defensive end T.J. Fatinikun is also out with a shoulder injury, and the Bucs are keeping Hard Knocks star Kourtnei Brown out as well, which means the Bucs have just three defensive ends healthy for the game: George Johnson, Jacquies Smith and William Gholston, although Henry Melton can play defensive end as well.
For the Titans, Perrish Cox is active despite being listed as questionable on the official injury report, which helps shore up their weak secondary. The other starting cornerback, Jason McCourty, is still out, as will probably be the case for the first couple of games of the regular season. Nose tackle Sammie Lee Hill is also out for the Titans.
Buccaneers inactives: WR Mike Evans, DE T.J. Fatinikun, CB Mike Jenkins, C Eric Kush, RB Mike James, QB Ryan Griffin, DE Kourtnei Brown.
Titans inactives: CB Jason McCourty, NT Sammie Lee Hill, DE Rapati Pitoitua, TE Chase Coffman, G Quinton Spain, RB Antonio Andrews and QB Charlie Whitehurst.