CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without starting outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka against the Carolina Panthers Sunday as they try to gain some ground in the NFC South.
The Buccaneers downgraded Tryon-Shoyinka, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, from "doubtful" to "out," and he did not make the trip to Charlotte, the team announced.
The Buccaneers' 32nd pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Tryon-Shoyinka has two sacks and three tackles for a loss so far this season, with a forced fumble coming in the Bucs' Week 1 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Tryon-Shoyinka suffered the injury with :07 left in the first quarter against the New York Giants last week while stopping a fourth-and-1 play. He was replaced by sixth-year veteran Anthony Nelson in the 30-7 victory, which snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Buccaneers will already be without starting safety Jordan Whitehead, who suffered a torn pectoral injury against the Giants and was placed on injured reserve Friday. Waiver-wire pickup Mike Edwards, a member of the Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV-winning defense, is expected to step into his role after playing in dime packages last week and playing nearly the whole fourth quarter for Whitehead.
The team will also be without starting nickelback Tykee Smith for the third straight game after he suffered a knee injury during the final practice of Week 10. He'll be replaced by Christian Izien, who has now started six games this season at both safety and nickelback due to injuries.
The status of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is still up in the air. Coach Todd Bowles said he'd be a game-time decision after suffering an MCL sprain in Week 10. He's also dealing with a foot injury. Last week, Wirfs was officially listed as "questionable" on Friday but was downgraded to "doubtful" on Saturday. He was a limited participant in all three days of practice this week. If he cannot go, he'll be replaced by backup swing tackle Justin Skule, who got the nod last week.