They say when it rains, it pours, and right now, it's pouring on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This season wasn't supposed to be like this. It was the rebound season, "The One Where They Make The Playoffs" if we are ripping a title from the old "Friends" show.
What's sad is that the Buccaneers are still in it, but can they really turn things around? If they realistically want a shot, they have to beat the division-leading Carolina Panthers in Week 7. If not, just play it out and try to save jobs.
What won't make it easy is the injury report. Friday's final report isn't what the Bucs need or what the fans want to hear, but if you keep your fingers crossed, throw some salt over your left shoulder, and maybe dance naked under the moon Friday night, maybe Sunday brings better news.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely be without Emeka Egbuka and Luke Goedeke in Week 7
If Mayfield returns to the field on Sunday he will likely do so without his top receiver. Egbuka was ruled as doubtful on Friday as he deals with a concussion and a foot injury. The news isn't much better for the offensive line either, as starting right tackle Luke Goedeke has also been ruled out.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will miss another game this week. That's three starters, important starters, that will be missing when the Buccaneers' work to pull off an upset and keep pace in the NFC South.
Every other player on this week's injury report will play, as they finished Friday with full practice.
The Panthers will be without their top edge rusher. Jaelan Phillips will miss another week with a hamstring injury. A small thank you to the football gods would be warranted. Phillips is an incredibly quick DE who can collapse a pocket in seconds. Carolina will also be without linebacker Thomas Incoom. Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling who missed his last game is listed as questionable.
Overall, the Panthers will head into this week far healthier than the Buccaneers, and it's the last thing the team needed.
All of that being said, consider this. As bad as Tampa has played this season, beating the Panthers would move them to within one of the Panthers who have only won three games. If the Falcons and Saints both lose this weekend, and the Bucs pull off that win, it's a three-way tie for second, and suddenly, there is new life.
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