Mike Williams plays, Dashon Goldson out on Thursday Night Football

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have Mike Williams on the field today, although fellow wide receiver Chris Owusu will miss the game. Williams has been struggling with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be 100%, but having him on the field should help.

The bad news is that safety Dashon Goldson will miss the game with a knee injury. Goldson has been a major factor on the field this year and has allowed the Bucs to be very creative with multiple defensive backs sets, and they'll be limited there today. Mark Barron is likely to play more as a deep safety, which takes him away from his best position as a box safety. Defending tight end Greg Olsen may be the biggest problem on defense, now.

The Carolina Panthers are largely healthy, although defensive tackle Dwan Edwards will miss the game and cornerback Josh Thomas won't go, either. That limits their defense, and Captain Munnerlyn is now their top cornerback. The Bucs should be able to take advantage by moving around Vincent Jackson.

Buccaneers inactives: RB Doug Martin, RB Jeff Demps, S Dashon Goldson, G Patrick Omameh, G Carl Nicks, WR Chris Owusu and DT Derek Landri.

Panthers inactives: WR Tavarres King, WR Marvin McNutt, CB Josh Thomas, RB Armond Smith, TE Brandon Williams, DT Dwan Edwards & DT Sione Fua.

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