The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals named their game day inactives on Sunday at 11:35 a.m. ET, 90 minutes before kickoff of their Week Two contest at University of Phoenix Stadium. NFL teams are required to reduce their active rosters to 46 players for each regular-season game.
The Buccaneers did not have to deactivate DE Robert Ayers, who was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday due to a leg injury. In fact, injuries had little to do with the Bucs' inactive decisions for the second straight week, and once again the list is largely made up of rookies. In fact, third quarterback Ryan Griffin is the only veteran on the list.
The Cardinals will be down two defensive linemen, as starting DT Frostee Rucker will miss his second straight game and be joined on the sideline by 2016 first-round pick DT Robert Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche sustained an ankle injury in practice during the week. G Evan Mathis, however, has been cleared to play for Arizona.
BUCCANEERS INACTIVES
- RB Peyton Barber
- G Caleb Benenoch
- LB Devante Bond
- QB Ryan Griffin
- S Ryan Smith
- DE Channing Ward
- T Leonard Wester
*Bond and Smith were on the injury report but did practice throughout the week, so their availability is likely not based on injuries.
CARDINALS INACTIVES
- S Marqui Christian
- LB Kareem Martin
- DT Robert Nkemdiche
- WR J.J. Nelson
- DT Olsen Pierre
- DT Frostee Rucker
- G Cole Toner
*Martin, Nkemdiche and Rucker are out due to injury.
