5 Buccaneers ruled out vs. Panthers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Five Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have been ruled out for Sunday's season-opener against the Carolina Panthers.
The Bucs announced Friday that defensive ends Da'Quan Bowers (abdomen) and William Gholston (shoulder), safety Bradley McDougald (knee), cornerback Rashaan Melvin (ankle) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (back) will miss the game.
Bowers practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday after sitting out on Wednesday but was still ruled out. The other four players missed practice all week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Running backs Mike James (shoulder) and Jorvorskie Lane (hand) and cornerback Mike Jenkins (hamstring) are probable to play.