By Tom Krasniqi
The 5-4 Bucs made their final preparations on Friday for Sunday’s road game at 2-7 Carolina. It’s the second meeting of the season between the clubs. The Bucs beat the Panthers 16-10 back in Week 1. Here’s the Bucs injury report: RG Jamon Meredith was back at practice after spraining his ankle during Wednesday’s practice. Meredith is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. After missing Thursday’s practice for personal reasons, CB Eric Wright returned to practice and is good to go for Sunday. Wright is probable with an Achilles injury. DE Michael Bennett (shoulder), LG Jeremy Zuttah (shoulder), WR Arrelious Benn (shoulder) and FS Cody Grimm (hamstring) all practiced fully on Friday and all are probable.
Notable injuries for the Panthers: DE Antwan Applewhite (hamstring) is out. DT Ron Edwards (not injury related), 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) are all probable.
News & Notes:
- Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is hoping that Meredith can play Sunday. If he can’t go, Schiano says Roger Allen and Cody Wallace would be the candidates to replace Meredith at right guard. Schiano ruled out moving Ted Larsen back to guard.
- The kick return game has been lackluster this season. Schiano says he wasn’t satisfied with LeQuan Lewis and the return game last week but says he won’t make another change. Arrelious Benn could return to that unit at some point but it looks like Lewis will get another shot at it.
- Interesting stat: When Panthers QB Cam Newton throws a pick, Carolina is 0-5 this season and 0-9 last season during his rookie campaign. So, the Panthers are 0-14 when Cam throws an interception. Wow. Bottom line: If Cam throws a pick Sunday, Panthers lose.
- The Bucs need to keep a close eye Sunday on Panthers TE Greg Olsen, who’s really coming on. Last week against the Broncos, Olsen had 9 catches for 102 yards and two scores. The Bucs are having trouble defending tight ends of late. Antonio Gates had 4 receptions last week for 57 yards and a TD against the Bucs defense.
- Catch the Bucs-Panthers game this Sunday on 620 WDAE, your home of the Bucs. Our pre-game coverage begins at 9am.
