NFC Notes: Buccaneers, 49ers, Panthers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett told reporters he’s in lockstep with HC Bruce Arians, who said the team doesn’t plan to let Barrett get away. Barrett signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Tampa Bay in free agency this year and is set to re-sign for a whole lot more after registering 16.5 sacks and counting in 2019. While contract talks haven’t begun between the two sides, Barrett said he’s committed to staying in Tampa Bay and hopes some of the Buccaneers’ other defensive free agents, like DT Ndamukong Suh, DE Jason Pierre-Paul and LB Carl Nassib, join him.  

“It’ll be tough, but everybody, the front office people have got to know what they got and don’t want to lose them,” Barrett said, via the Tampa Bay Times’s Eduardo Encina. “We’ve got to know we don’t have to chase the largest amount of money if we want to work with this group we’ve got together. If you do want to chase the money, then chase the money. It’s just about, I like winning, and I don’t like messing up a good thing for no reason. So if it’s a good thing going let’s keep it going.”

• OUT for Week 16: DT Beau Allen (ankle), WR Chris Godwin (hamstring), TE Tanner Hudson (concussion)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 16: CB Carlton Davis (ankle), C Ryan Jensen (elbow), T Donovan Smith (ankle, knee), QB Jameis Winston (right thumb, knee)

49ers

49ers CB Richard Sherman has been healthy for most of 2019 after laboring through his first year back from an Achilles tear a season ago. Sherman has subsequently returned to his previous Pro Bowl form and despite missing last week with a hamstring injury, the veteran says he’s ready to get back to playing at a high level this week against the Rams as San Francisco looks to lock up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through January. 

“Yeah, I’ll be out there on Saturday,” Sherman said via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “There’s no question. There’s nothing I need to show them. I have gone through practice. Today, we had a full-speed practice with no tweaks, nothing to be concerned about on my end, so we feel comfortable about that, they feel comfortable about it.”

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, Panthers OC Scott Turner said they aren’t limited in terms of the playbook with third-round rookie QB Will Grier making his first start this week, but there will be things this week to help him. 
• Turner added Grier has been ready as a backup but it’s been tough to get him first-team reps because of the need to also develop QB Kyle Allen. (Rodrigue) 
• Panthers LB Shaq Thompson is doubtful for this week’s game against the Colts with an ankle injury, according to interim HC Perry Fewell. (Max Henson)