HEAD COACH BRUCE ARIANS

(On the players who will be out against the Panthers on Sunday)

"Out: Shaq Barrett with COVID, 'RoJo' (Ronald Jones II), 'JPP' (Jason Pierre-Paul), Rashard Robinson and Justin Watson. That's pretty much it. The running back situation – Ke'Shawn [Vaughn], Le'Veon [Bell] and Kenjon [Barner] are all ready to go and had a good week at practice. [I'm] anxious to see what they can do."

(On the confidence he has in his team to step up despite the number of injuries the team has endured this season)

"I have all the confidence in the world. If you look at the guys who stepped up since Buffalo – 'BP' (Breshad Perriman) wins a game, Cyril [Grayson] wins a game. It's just a great opportunity. Scotty [Miller] has played big for us. It's just an opportunity for another guy but we have a great roster. Hopefully, we'll have almost everybody back defensively next week, so we'll wait and see how that goes. Let's win this week and set a franchise record for a number of wins because it's a big goal, man. 13 wins is huge."

(On clarifying who is out with COVID-19 on Sunday)

"Shaq."

(On the potential for WR Cyril Grayson to be promoted to the 53-man roster)

"That's one of the things we're deliberating right now [with] the number of roster moves we're going to have to make in the next seven or eight days. He's earned the right for sure."

(On if RB Leonard Fournette and RB Ronald Jones II will be ready for playoffs)

"I'm pretty sure 'Lenny' will be ready to go, but we'll have to wait and see about RoJo's ankle. He can run straight, but he still can't cut."

(On the offensive line's performance this season)

"They've been fantastic, obviously, with three of them going to the Pro Bowl. I think all five could have made it. They've been fantastic. We lead the league in fewest sacks per attempt and we're running the ball [well]. You have to throw the tight ends and backs in there when it comes to protecting Tom [Brady]. Our offensive line – my hat is off. They battled through it and thank God they're all healthy."

(On what this week has been like for him both personally and professionally)

"There's a been a bunch of them worse and there's been a hell of a lot better. It's just a part of the job and you just have to go with the flow. I really hated missing last week with COVID, and the rest of the weekend – it was a great win."

(On QB Tom Brady continuing to hit career milestones and how he turned the offense around)

"It's a testament to Tom. What he did last year was amazing with no preseason and no offseason, but this year [he] just continued to climb and bring in new ideas. Byron [Leftwich] – I can't take any credit – Byron has done all of it and Clyde [Christensen] and everybody on the offensive coaching staff. It's a joy to come to work every day I promise."

(On what he wants the team to do differently this week against the Panthers)

"There are a few things like not give up a couple of those quarterback runs for sure – do a better job there. We played pretty well in that ball game. We had a lot of pressure from the interior. I look for a good challenge. Again, offensively, we're finding new ways to get different people involved, so I want to see the continued growth on offense and a better performance defensively."

(On if it is a distraction that Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich and Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles are being interviewed for the head coaching position with the Jacksonville Jaguars before the season has ended)

"No, those guys are pros and they both took different times during the day where there is downtime for them. I have all the confidence that it's not a distraction whatsoever and I'm pulling for both of them."

-BUCCANEERS-