After starting the season on a hot streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the very real possibilty of undoing their 2-0 start and limping into the bye week
Wins over the Vikings and Bears were great, and helped quiet doubters who had stoned the Bucs all offseason, but they victories haven't really aged well. Both Minnesota and Chicago are searching for their first wins of the season, while the only legitmate team the Bucs have played crushed them by double digits.
That can change on Sunday, though, when the Bucs take on the New Orleans Saints with control of the NFC South on the line. With Atlanta getting hammered in London by the Jaguars, whoever wins the Bucs-Saints contest will have sole possession of first place.
For the Bucs, there would be no better way to head into the bye week and wash the taste of the Monday Night Football loss than being 3-1 and leading the division.
To do that, the Bucs will have to win without some pretty notable names who will miss Sunday's action as gameday inactives.
Buccaneers vs. Saints inactive list Week 4
The biggest name everyone was watching this week won't be showing up on the inactives list. Derek Carr was questionable after injuring his shoulder in the Saints loss to Green Bay last Sunday. There was initial fear that it could be season-ending, but slowly the diagnosis got better and better and now Carr is expected to start Week 4's tilt.
It's a miraculous break for the Saints, especially considering the second most-watched name this week will be showing up on the inactives list. Jamel Dean was banged up in the Bucs loss on Monday and was ruled out by head coach Todd Bowles on Saturday.
Dean wil be joined by rookie Calijah Kancey, who has yet to play again after injuring his calf in Week 1's win over Minnesota. Fellow rookie SirVocea Dennis is also out, and has yet to play a single game for the Bucs so far this season.
Here's a look at who is out for today's game in New Orleans:
Buccaneers inactives
- Jamel Dean, CB
- SirVocea Dennis, LB
- Calijah Kancey, DL
- Derrek Pitts, CB
- Markees Watts, LB
- Payne Durham, TE
- Brandon Walton, OL
Saints inactives
- Cesar Ruiz, OL
- Foster Moreau, TE
- Jake Luton, QB
- Jordan Howden, CB
- Paulson Adebo, CB
- A.T Perry, WR
- Kyle Phillips, DE
When Carr's status for this week was in doubt, the Saints elevated Jake Luton from the practice sqaud as a precaution. Now that Carr is starting, Luton is going to be inactive with Jameis Winston in line to take snaps if anything happens during the game.
One notable absence for the Saints is offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, who will miss this week's game with an injury.