Bucs Have 1 Player Doubtful, 2 Questionable For Week 18

After it was initially said by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles that two players would be out for Sunday’s regular season finale, the injury report told us a little more. While we already knew that cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are out, tight end Cade Otton has been listed as doubtful and defensive tackle Will Gholston are on it as questionable and wide receiver Sterling Shepard are on it as questionable.

Bowles mentioned in his Friday press conference that Otton was going to be a game time decision. He’s missed the last two games and is likely to miss a third. The good news is that Otton has at least started practicing a little bit this week and was listed as limited participating for Thursday and Friday. He’s wearing a big brace on his knee, but it looks like he’s closer to a return if the Bucs reach the postseason.

Gholston has played in all 16 games so far on the season, ,though his playing time has dropped. Gholston brings a great deal of experience and a veteran presence to an overall young group on the defensive line. Shepard missed last game due to a hamstring injury. He has practiced in a limited capacity all week and put in extra work stretching out and getting himself ready for the day’s practice. Tampa Bay has been able to plug and play several receivers in recent weeks so it’ll be an added bonus if Shepard can play.

Here is the Friday injury report for the Bucs and Saints ahead of their game.

Bucs Friday Injury Report

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• CB Jamel Dean – knee – did not participate – out
• S Antoine Winfield Jr. – knee – limited participation – out
• TE Cade Otton – knee – limited participation – doubtful
• DL Will Gholston – knee – did not participate – questionable
• WR Sterling Shepard – hamstring – limited participation – questionable
• TE Devin Culp – ribs – full participation
• LB Lavonte David – rest – did not participate
• TE Payne Durham – quadriceps – full participation
• WR Mike Evans – rest – limited participation
• RB Bucky Irving – shoulder/shin – full participation
• T Tristan Wirfs – foot/knee – limited participation

Saints Friday Injury Report

Sad Saints fans – Photo by: USA Today

• QB Derek Carr – left hand – did not participate – out
• RB Kendre Miller – concussion – did not participate – out
• RB Alvin Kamara – groin – did not participate – doubtful
• LB Willie Gay Jr. – shoulder – limited participation – questionable
• TE Juwan Johnson – knee – limited participation – questionable
• WR Chris Olave – head – full participation – questionable
• DE Payton Turner – ankle – limited participation – questionable
• LB Pete Werner – concussion – full participation – questionable
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling – full participation