On top of losing the first two games of the season against teams with backup quarterbacks, the Buccaneers are faced with a number of injuries heading into Week 3. They'll travel to Atlanta on Thursday night to face the Falcons who have much fewer players on this week's injury report.
The Bucs will be without starting middle linebacker Mason Foster, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team's Week 2 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Backup Dane Fletcher will assume the starting role against Atlanta. Also on defense, starting defensive end Michael Johnson is questionable with a sprained ankle and so is defensive tackle Gerald McCoy with a broken hand. Johnson missed Week 2 after suffering the injury against the Panthers in Week 1, but the team hopes he'll play tonight. McCoy on the other hand is unlikely to suit up after suffering a broken hand just last week.
As for the offense, running back Doug Martin is listed as questionable with a knee injury he sustained in Week 1 (he also missed Week 2), but Ian Rappaport of NFL.com reported earlier today that he's unlikely to play tonight against the Falcons. Bobby Rainey will get a bulk of the carries, especially after rushing for 144 yards last week. Backup tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is dealing with an ankle injury, will miss his second straight game too. But perhaps of paramount concern, the offensive line is fairly banged up, with guard Logan Mankins (knee), center Eric Dietrich-Smith (knee) and right tackle Demar Dotson (hamstring) nursing their ailments. However, they're all listed as probable and will likely play tonight.
The Falcons return home on Thursday after losing 24-10 last week in Cincinnati. However, their injury report is nowhere near as extensive as the Buccaneers. Left tackle Jake Matthews (ankle), wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle) and backup linebacker Prince Shembo (knee) are listed as probable. Also, wide receiver Roddy White (hamstring) is listed as questionable and he did not practice during the shortened week. However, he's expected to play tonight along with the others listed on the team's report.
Tune in to CBS at 8:00 p.m. tonight for coverage of the game and check out the preview here.
