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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have numerous injuries on a short week, but the ones to the team's skill players are the most concerning. Doug Martin won't play, which means Mike James will likely be the lead running back against the Carolina Panthers. Mike Williams is still limited with a nagging hamstring injury that has lingered for months, and third receiver Chris Owusu isn't fully healthy either.
The defense is relatively healthy, with a few nagging injuries that shouldn't keep players out. The only significant injury there is to safety Dashon Goldson, who suffered a knee injury last week. If he can't go the Bucs would like to turn to Keith Tandy, who's recovering from a concussion, or recent addition Kelcie McCray. Neither player is as good as the All-Pro safety and it would likely push Mark Barron back into a deep role again, even though he's at his best closer to the line of scrimmage.
For the Panthers the most significant injury is to defensive tackle Dwan Edwards who is unlikely to play after missing every practice this week. Other than that they are largely healthy, with only Steve Smith being a significant player to be limited on Wednesday, but he is listed as probable.
Buccaneers injury report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Demps | RB | Groin | Out | Out | Out | Out |
| Doug Martin | RB | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Carl Nicks | G | Foot | Out | Out | Out | Out |
| Dashon Goldson | S | Knee | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| Chris Owusu | WR | Foot | Llimited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| Mike Williams | WR | Hamstring | Full | Limited | Full | Questionable |
| Michael Adams | CB | Knee | Full | Full | Full | Probable |
| Mark Barron | S | Hip | Limted | Full | Full | Probable |
| Da'Quan Bowers | DE | Toe | Full | Full | Full | Probable |
| Tom Crabtree | TE | Ankle | Full | Full | Full | Probable |
| Davin Joseph | G | Knee | Full | Full | Full | Probable |
| Akeem Spence | DT | Wrist | Full | Full | Full | Probable |
| Keith Tandy | S | Concussion | DNP | Limited | Full | Probable |
Panthers injury report
More from Bucs Nation:
- Do the Buccaneers really need to draft a quarterback?
- Doug Martin Injury: Buccaneers running back could return this year
- 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Getting the Buccaneers a franchise quarterback
- Bringing the Buccaneers a Super Bowl in three years (part 2 of 3)
- Buccaneers Pass Protection Review: Week 6 - part two
More from Bucs Nation:
- Do the Buccaneers really need to draft a quarterback?
- Doug Martin Injury: Buccaneers running back could return this year
- 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Getting the Buccaneers a franchise quarterback
- Bringing the Buccaneers a Super Bowl in three years (part 2 of 3)
- Buccaneers Pass Protection Review: Week 6 - part two