Safety Vonn Bell (quadriceps) and tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) have been ruled out for the Carolina Panthers NFC South showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
With tight end Tommy Tremble (hip) doubtful, that leaves the Panthers a little thin at that position. This will be Hurst’s third straight missed game since he was concussed in the Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan may have to hold down the fort.
With Bell out, rookie Alex Cook may get the starting nod. Of the seven players listed as questionable, DJ Johnson (elbow) was the only full participant in Friday’s practice. The other six – who were limited – are cornerback Troy Hill (hip), guard Nash Jensen (back), outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. (back), cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring), safety Jeremy Chinn (quadriceps), and outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring).
Horn, Chinn, and Gross-Matos have not yet been activated from injured reserve. Cornerback CJ Henderson has cleared the concussion protocol and does not have an injury status.
