TAMPA -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday without three key defensive linemen, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who is inactive with a hand injury.
The Bucs will also be without defensive end Jacquies Smith -- second on the team in sacks behind McCoy -- as well as defensive end George Johnson, a starter at the opening of the season. The Bucs do get three key offensive players back in the starting lineup -- tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has missed nine games with a shoulder injury, rookie right guard Ali Marpet is back starting after missing three games with an ankle injury, and right tackle Demar Dotson is back after being limited to special-teams snaps and missing the first eight games with a knee injury.
Dotson steps in with right tackle Gosder Cherilus inactive after being limited by a knee injury this week. Also inactive for the Bucs are tight end Brandon Myers and No. 3 quarterback Ryan Griffin.
The Falcons have kicker Matt Bryant sidelined with a quadriceps injury, so Shayne Graham will handle kicking duties. Tight end Tony Moeaki is inactive with a hamstring injury, and healthy scratches include cornerback Philip Adams, safety Charles Godfrey, running back Terron Ward, tackle Bryce Harris and defensive end Malliciah Goodman.
