Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals Inactive and Injury Reports for Sunday Night Football
By Eric Rosales in NFL Football
Published:
- In the Buccaneers vs Cardinals inactive and injury report, Colt McCoy’s concussion means 3rd-stringer Trace McSorley gets his first career start for Arizona
- Tampa left tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) is questionable for Sunday Night Football
- Read below to find out who’s in and who’s out prior to this kickoff
The Arizona Cardinals are turning to a 3rd-string quarterback Trace McSorley in their Sunday Night Football matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McSorley got the nod after backup Colt McCoy suffered a concussion last game against the Denver Broncos. McCoy stepped in for an injured Kyler Murray, who suffered a torn ACL against the Patriots in Week 14.
Tampa isn’t at full strength, either, as hulking left tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) is still listed as questionable.
The Buccaneers are leading the lowly NFC South, but need to win to keep a step ahead of both the Panthers and Saints.
The NFL odds have the visiting Bucs as 7.5-point favorites, with a total set at 41.
Catch this game Sunday night at 8:20pm ET from State Farm Stadium, in a game you can see live on NBC.
Unlike most NFL venues this weekend, weather shouldn’t be a factor, with a balmy 66-degree temperature at kickoff in the desert.
If you’re following NFL betting trends, you know Tampa is the public’s pick. Seventy-four per cent of the bets against the spread are on the Bucs, with a whopping 90% taking them on the moneyline.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report
Along with Wirfs, tackle Josh Wells (back), is also listed as questionable. Tackle Donovan Smith (foot) has already been ruled out.
Veteran wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) was limited in practice all week, and is listed as questionable.
Their defense is definitely dinged up. Linebackers Genard Avery (abdomen/oblique) and Carl Nassib (pectoral), cornerback Jamel Dean (toe) and nose tackle Vita Vea (calf) all sidelined in Week 16.
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At safety, Antoine Winfield Jr (ankle), didn’t practice all week, and is questionable. Free safety Mike Edwards (hamstring), was a limited participant in practice Friday, and is also questionable.
Tampa Bay is trying to bounce back from a gruesome loss against the Bengals last week. They blew a 17-point lead under a hail of 2nd-half turnovers, at one point surrendering 31 straight points in a 34-23 loss.
Arizona Cardinals Injury Report
McSorley’s degree-of-difficulty is upped if he’s also down a pair of offensive linemen. Tackle Kelvin Beachum (knee/ankle) missed a pair of practices and was limited Friday, and is listed as questionable. Ditto for center Max Garcia (shoulder), who was limited all week.
Marquise Brown (groin) and Greg Dortch (knee) were limited all week. Both wideouts are questionable for Sunday.
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Arizona will be down DE Zach Allen (hand) and corner Byron Murphy (back) on defense. Corner Marco Wilson (neck) was a full participant Friday, but his status is unspecified. DB Charles Washington (chest) was able to get in a full practice Friday, but is questionable.
The Cardinals made big a big splash to acquire Hollywood Brown in the offseason, thinking they were a piece away from challenging for a title after a promising 2021 season.
Instead, the talented offensive group on paper: Murray, Conner, DeAndre Hopkins, tight end Zach Ertz and Brown never played a single snap together the entire season due to injury and suspension.
How Can Injuries Affect Buccaneers vs Cardinals Lines?
This line originally opened as Tampa -3.5, but that was before the Cardinals’ QB situation was revealed during the week.
The Buccaneers are the NFL’s worst bet, just 3-10-1 against the spread this season, so the expanded line may be cause for concern. Should all their offensive lineman be ruled out closer to kickoff, there could be a half-point shift to seven points.
There’s not another injury that could compromise Arizona more than it already is.
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Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
