Panthers - Buccaneers Injuries: Jonathan Stewart, Arrelious Benn likely out

The injury report for Sunday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers is out, and it's a doozy. The Bucs and Panthers both have a number of significant injuries, but the Bucs are harder hit. With receiver Arrelious Benn and cornerbacks E.J. Biggers and Anthony Gaitor likely to miss the game, the Bucs have some depth issues at those positions. Benn is most likely to play, as he actually fully participated in practice this week. But Biggers and Gaitor are very unlikely to play, which likely makes Myron Lewis the nickel cornerback and Ronde Barber the dime cornerback, with Ahmad Black moving to safety in dime. That's a huge issue, as Lewis has been, quite simply, terrible during the previous two years - although he did look a little better during this preseason.

The Panthers only have one significant player likely to actually miss, as running back Jonathan Stewart has not practiced this week and is listed as Questionable on the injury report. Carolina shouldn't be hurt too much by his absence, however, as RB Deangelo Williams is no slouch and Mike Tolbert can carry his part of the load as well. Two star players are listed on the injury report, but both are likely to play after participating in practice: linebacker Jon Beason and wide receiver Steve Smith are listed as probable, and should suit up against the Bucs on Sunday. Finally, there's center Jeff Byers who will miss the game, but this shouldn't be too relevant: he's just a backup.

Full Injury Report

Buccaneers:
Questionable: WR Arrelious Benn (knee)
Doubtful: CB E.J. Biggers (foot), CB Anthony Gaitor (hamstring)

Panthers:
Probable: LB Jon Beason (thigh), WR Steve Smith (foot)
Questionable: RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle)
Out: C Jeff Byers (knee)