lose key offensive lineman

Bucs RG Davin Joseph suffered a broken kneecap in Friday night's preseason game against the Patriots.  He's expected to be sidelined about 3 months but could end up being placed on IR.  Joseph graded out just 48th in Pro Football Focus' 2011 OG rankings, but he was expected to be a key part of Tampa's power run-blocking line this season.  His loss is bad news for RB Doug Martin, although Ted Larsen is a capable replacement.  The Bucs' offensive line still projects as an above-average unit.

Update: Further testing revealed a torn petallar tendon.  Joseph is done for the year.

Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Fellow CB Jamel Dean (toe) is questionable but finished the week with a full Friday practice after 2 limited workouts. He missed the previous 2 games. S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) and S Mike Edwards (hamstring) are also questionable after going limited all week. Each guy played through the same issue in last Sunday's win over the Cardinals. In Winfield's case, this week's practice run marked an upgrade. He sat out all 3 days last week before playing through a "questionable" tag. We'll update all the questionable CBs when Sunday's inactives arrive.

The Buccaneers have ruled out CB Carlton Davis (hip) and DB Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion). That certainly helps the matchup for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and his pass-catchers. Winfield has spent more time at slot CB than safety so far this season. So these absences are especially helpful to WR Devin Duvernay and TE Mark Andrews. Duvernay and Davis have each primarily run on the same side of the formation, and Andrews remains Baltimore's biggest threat from the slot. We'll see whether Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman play through their "questionable" designations. Bateman did put in a full practice Wednesday, while Andrews hasn't practiced this week.

Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (hip) and S Mike Edwards (elbow) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Edwards put in full practices all week, so we'd bet on him playing. Davis went limited, no practice, limited. We'll check their statuses Sunday morning.

Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield (foot) and S Jordan Whitehead (calf) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. Winfield looks very iffy after putting in only 1 limited practice. Whitehead closed out the week with a full Friday after 2 limited days. He missed the past 2 games.

Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean (concussion) and DE William Gholston (wrist, knee) are active for today's game against the Bills.