Slumping Bucs to be down 4 starters vs. Ravens

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Buccaneers volition beryllium without 4 starters erstwhile they big the Baltimore Ravens connected Thursday nighttime arsenic backmost Tom Brady tries to debar 3 consecutive losses for the archetypal clip successful 20 years and conscionable the 2nd clip successful his career.

The Bucs volition beryllium without near defender Luke Goedeke, antiaircraft backmost Antoine Winfield Jr., cornerback Carlton Davis and choky extremity Cam Brate against the Ravens. Reserve receiver Russell Gage and backup cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting besides person been ruled out.

Wide receiver Julio Jones, who is battling a genu injury, volition beryllium a game-time decision, and antiaircraft lineman Akiem Hicks, who returned to signifier this week for the archetypal clip since suffering a ft wounded successful Week 2, volition beryllium doubtful, Bowles said.

"We'll spot however helium feels connected [Thursday] aft being retired present for 2 days," Bowles said of Hicks. "We'll play it by ear."

Goedeke, a rookie who has struggled to marque the modulation from assemblage close tackle to NFL near guard, suffered a ft wounded past week against the Carolina Panthers. Bowles said earlier this week that he'd get the commencement with Nick Leverett again rotating in, but it became evident this week erstwhile Goedeke attempted to signifier that helium was not good capable to play.

Leverett volition get the start.

Gage suffered a hamstring wounded against the Panthers that was important capable to warrant an MRI earlier this week, portion Winfield, 1 of the Bucs' champion antiaircraft playmakers, suffered a concussion against Carolina and is inactive successful the protocol.

Davis, their apical extracurricular cornerback, was held retired past week aft tweaking a hep wounded against the Pittsburgh Steelers 2 weeks agone and missed signifier each week. Murphy-Bunting, their apical reserve country and a starter past year, besides was held retired past week with a quad injury, but helium is continuing to advancement and has been running.

Brate, who was carted disconnected connected a stretcher against the Steelers, is inactive dealing with a sprained neck, and the squad is approaching his betterment precise cautiously. There is nary timetable for his return.

The Bucs volition besides beryllium without backup wrong linebacker K.J. Britt, a halfway peculiar teams player, who was placed connected injured reserve Tuesday with an ankle injury.