Tim Jennings deactivated, Evan Smith benched against Washington

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a surprise move today: they benched cornerback Tim Jennings as Johnthan Banks returns to play. Jennings isn't just benched: he's not even active today. That's despite starting most of the season. It's not clear whether this is injury-related or simply because of his poor play against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mike Jenkins will start opposite Banks, with Alterraun Verner in the slot and Sterling Moore the primary backup.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers get two of their starting offensive linemen back today, as both Logan Mankins and Evan Smith are healthy enough to suit up. Mankins will start, but Joe Hawley has filled in well in Smith's place the past couple of games and Tampa Bay has made the decision to keep him in there. The Bucs will also see defensive tackle Akeem Spence return to action, and the only significant injury-related absence is that of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who has been out with a shoulder injury since week two.

As for Washington, they'll be missing four starters today in cornerbacks Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall, wide receiver DeSean Jackson and center Kory Lichtensteiger. The Bucs will look to take advantage of Washington's problems in the secondary with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, perhaps getting both of them significantly involved in the passing game for the first time this year.

Running back Chris Thompson will also not suit up for Washington, which means they have even more issues in the running game than they already did. In all, this is shaping up to be a pretty bad day for Washington.

Bucs inactives: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, QB Ryan Griffin, DT Tony McDaniel, T Reid Fragel, WR Russell Shepard, S Keith Tandy, CB Tim Jennings.

Washington inactives: CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Chris Culliver, WR DeSean Jackson, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RB Chris Thompson, DE Frank Kearse, QB Robert Griffin III.