By Tom Krasniqi

 

The 5-4 Bucs returned to the practice field Thursday as they get set for Sunday’s road game at 2-7 Carolina.  Here’s the Bucs injury report:  RG Jamon Meredith injured his ankle during yesterday’s practice when a teammate fell into him, according to head coach Greg Schiano.  Meredith did not practice today and is questionable for Sunday.  Roger Allen is listed as the backup at right guard.  DE Michael Bennett (shoulder), LG Jeremy Zuttah (shoulder), WR Arrelious Benn (shoulder) and FS Cody Grimm (hamstring) all practiced fully.  Bennett and Zuttah were back on the field after missing Wednesday’s practice.

Notable injuries for the Panthers: WR Armanti Edwards (groin), DE Antwan Applewhite (hamstring), and DT Ron Edwards (not injury related) did not practice on Thursday.  LT Jordan Gross (rest), WR Steve Smith (rest), LB Thomas Davis (rest), DT Dwan Edwards (ankle), C Geoff Hangartner (knee) and G Amini Silatolu (shoulder) were all full participants at practice.   

News & Notes:

  • CB Eric Wright was excused from practice today for “personal reasons”.  Head coach Greg Schiano says he expects Wright to play on Sunday, if healthy.
  • With Meredith down, the offensive line is looking paper thin.  You can forget about Jeremy Trueblood at guard.  He did not see any reps at guard on Thursday and he’s frustrated by it. 
  • Bucs QB Josh Freeman can certainly relate to what Panthers QB Cam Newton is going through this season.  Freeman struggled last season after a big 2010.  Newton is slumping this season after a huge rookie campaign but Freeman says the circumstances are not the same.  “Cam is a great dude.  It’s something that everybody has to figure out on their own”.
  • The Panthers’ front four is getting after the passer.  Greg Hardy, Dwan Edwards and Charles Johnson have a combined 20 sacks.  Bucs RT Demar Dotson is ready to rumble: “Once we get on that field and the lights go on, we’re gonna fight”.
  • Bucs CB LeQuan Lewis is quite the journeyman: Undrafted out of Arizona State in 2011.  Has been with the Titans, Raiders, Jets and Cowboys before signing with the Bucs last month.  He told me he will return kicks again this week and brings blazing 4.3 speed to the table.  Lewis recorded his first NFL interception last week. 
  • Catch the Bucs-Panthers game this Sunday on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs.  Our pre-game coverage begins at 9am.