NEW DELHI: In the wake of a Week 12 defeat to the Tennessee Titans, the Carolina Panthers have been dealing with significant changes.
Head coach Frank Reich was dismissed on Monday, adding to the turmoil of a disappointing season. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor has stepped up as the interim head coach, set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his first test on the road.
The Panthers’ season has been marred by struggles, exacerbated by the underwhelming performance of their first-round pick at quarterback, Bryce Young, under Reich’s guidance. Adding insult to injury, the Chicago Bears are set to claim Carolina’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, standing at 4-7 for the season, still hold playoff aspirations in the NFC South. A victory against the Panthers in Week 13 could bring them closer to rivals New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
As the Buccaneers gear up to face the Panthers, they will be without key defensive players. Linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David are ruled out due to foot and groin problems, respectively. David, in particular, continues to be sidelined after missing the previous game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Tampa Bay’s defensive line will also see notable absences with Mike Greene and cornerback Jamel Dean out of action due to missed practices during the week.
The Panthers, meanwhile, grapple with their own injury concerns. Safety Vonn Bell and tight end Hayden Hurst have been declared out for the game, while tight end Tommy Tremble is doubtful. Several other players are labeled as ‘questionable’ for the Week 13 matchup.