The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping things swing back in their direction in 2026 after they failed to win the NFC South last season. The Carolina Panthers were able to steal the division title after beating Tampa Bay 16-14 in Week 18.
With a new season on the horizon, the Bucs already have an edge over the Panthers. Carolina started training camp on July 22, and on that day, they lost edge rusher Nic Scourton to a torn ACL. He was carted off the field, and that's a big-time blow to their roster.
Meanwhile, on July 21, the Panthers announced that right tackle Taylor Morton will miss the start of the season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung last month. That's without mentioning that Ikem Ekwonu, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III and Jaycee Horn will all start camp on the sideline, whether they are on the physically unable to perform list or the non-football illness list.
Carolina is already dealing with several injury setbacks, and that is something that could work in Tampa Bay's advantage.
Panthers' injuries could create early advantage for Buccaneers in NFC South race
Tampa Bay will begin camp on July 28th at Advent Health Training Center in Tampa, Florida. While they haven't stepped on the field yet, they aren't dealing with any injuries. That's a massive edge over the Panthers, who have been slammed with the injury bug already.
Every team wants to get through the summer without having anyone go down. And while that can happen, there's no controlling it, unfortunately. Carolina is dealing with these problems already, and while that sucks, it gives the Bucs the upper hand over their rival.
Handling business in the division is a necessity, and Tampa Bay knows that. Last season, they went 3-3 in the NFC South, but that wasn't good enough. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the Bucs went 4-2 in the division over both years. In those campaigns, the Bucs also went 4-0 against the Panthers.
They know what it takes to beat them, and they need that same feeling in 2026. While some of the Panther players who are sidelined will be on the field when these two squads play, they will be behind the curve in terms of being ready for the season.
As things are currently constructed, the Bucs are healthy, and their players will get some valuable reps in camp. Those things can't be understated. Being as sharp as you can be when the regular season comes around is massive.
These injuries will hurt the Panthers in 2026 and, no doubt, will help the Bucs. For a team looking to regain control of the division, they'll take any edge they can get.
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