Status of Donovan Smith, Tristan Wirfs unclear as Bucs prepare for NFC South showdown

Six days before one of the franchise’s biggest regular-season games in recent memory, the Bucs can’t be certain who they’ll employ at the spot where the contest could be decided: the trenches.

The team (7-8) will enter Sunday’s colossal NFC South showdown against the surging Panthers (6-9) uncertain as to whom will be available to play offensive tackle. Veteran Donovan Smith, inactive for the Christmas-night overtime win against the Cardinals with a foot injury, may or may not be ready. Josh Wells, who started in Smith’s place against Arizona, tore his patellar tendon in the first half.

Meantime, Pro Bowl right tackle Tristan Wirfs, playing his first game since injuring his ankle Nov. 27, was seen limping by the end of the costly 19-16 triumph.

“Hopefully Donovan returns,” coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday afternoon.

“Tristan re-aggravated (the ankle) towards the end of the game; I think somebody fell on the back of it. Again, we’ll get the reports later when he comes in and see how it is, but any time you lose one and then you have one out and then you may lose another one, it’s always concerning.”

By the end of Sunday’s overtime triumph, the team had only three available tackles: Wirfs, second-year reserve Brandon Walton (who replaced Wells) and practice squad callup Justin Skule. Walton, a Seminole High alumnus, hadn’t played extensively on offense since starting for Smith (hyperextended elbow) in a Sept. 25 loss to the Packers.

“He battled,” Bowles said. “Fundamentally, he wasn’t sound all the time, he battled. You go up against J.J. Watt, you’re going to lose some battles. But he hung in there enough to give us some plays and he fought. I credit the guy for fighting.”

The outlook on the other side of the trenches could be nearly as concerning if nose tackle Vita Vea (calf) misses his third game in a row. A clearer idea of Vea’s status likely won’t come until Wednesday, when the team begins game preparations for Carolina.

The Panthers, winners of four of six, have averaged 240 rushing yards in those four triumphs. In their first meeting with the Bucs, a stunning 21-3 romp on Oct. 23, they ran for 173 yards.

On Sunday, the Bucs surrendered 121 rushing yards on 27 carries to Arizona

“Obviously we didn’t stop the run and we didn’t score a lot of points (in the first matchup against Carolina),” Bowles said. “It was a lot of frustrating things in that ball game; they played a good game and we did not. So we’ve got to try to switch that this time around.”

With a win Sunday, the Bucs clinch the NFC South and capture consecutive division titles for the first time in the franchise’s 47-year history. If they lose, they would have to defeat the Falcons in Atlanta in the regular-season finale the following week and hope for a Panthers loss to the Saints in New Orleans.

“We know the importance of the game, that doesn’t need to be harped on,” Bowles said. “It’s really about detail in our work, detail in ourselves and making sure we go in (with) no stone unturned mentally, and make sure they get as physically well as they can to be ready to play the Panthers.”

No challenge necessary?

Bowles suggested Monday it was pointless to challenge the spot on a pivotal Trace McSorley third-down run that led to the Cardinals’ lone touchdown.

Social media blasted Bowles for refusing to challenge the spot on McSorley’s third-and-1 quarterback sneak that officially netted 2 yards. Two plays later, James Conner dashed around the left side for a 22-yard touchdown, giving Arizona a 16-6 lead with 10:53 remaining.

“We talked about it and (the officials) said they weren’t changing it, they got a good look at it,” Bowles said. “So it was kind of pointless.”

Audible

“The day after the game, once we win, I have the best peace of mind in the world. But during the game, it’s probably not healthy for me in the long run at all. You don’t want them to come down this way. You like the fight and everything, but I like to win by double digits at times.” — Bowles, whose team’s last three victories either have been determined in the final seconds of regulation (Rams, Saints) or in overtime (Cardinals)

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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