The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers named their game-day inactives on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, 90 minutes before kickoff of their Week 13 contest at Lambeau Field. NFL teams are required to reduce their active rosters to 46 players for each regular-season game.
Tampa Bay's inactive list begins and ends with seven players who are unavailable due to injury or illness, including such starters as defensive end Robert Ayers, running back Doug Martin and safety T.J. Ward, all of whom are in the NFL's concussion protocol. Without Martin, the Buccaneers will turn to a backfield trio of Jacquizz Rodgers, Peyton Barber and Charles Sims, with Barber expected to get his first start.
Starting quarterback Jameis Winston is active for the first time since Week 10, returning from three weeks of resting his previously-injured throwing shoulder. He will step right back into the lineup after veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick started the last three games. Winston will be playing behind an offensive line recently shuffled by the losses of right tackle Demar Dotson and center Ali Marpet to injured reserve. Helping in that cause is the return of versatile interior lineman Evan Smith from a one-week absence due to a concussion. Smith, a former Packer, was a candidate to start at left guard but will now open at center because Joe Hawley is unavailable due to illness. Caleb Benenoch will start at right tackle.
The Packers put running back Ty Montgomery on injured reserve late in the week and will rely on the duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Rookie cornerback Kevin King, who plays extensively in the Packers' nickel package, is out due to a shoulder injury but the home team does get back two defensive starters who missed last week: linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
BUCCANEERS INACTIVES
- DE Robert Ayers
- QB Ryan Griffin
- CB Vernon Hargreaves
- RB Doug Martin
- DT Clinton McDonald
- S Josh Robinson
- S T.J. Ward
Only Griffin, the team's third quarterback, is not out due to injury.
PACKERS INACTIVES
- DT Montravius Adams
- CB Donatello Brown
- WR Michael Clark
- CB Kevin King
- LB Chris Odom
- G/T Adam Pankey
- G Lucas Patrick
King is out due to injury.
