NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston said their receivers “just gotta get open” in order to win their Week 2 game against the Panthers. 

“We just gotta get open. I would say that,” said Winston, via JoeBucsFan.com. “We know they have a good front. I believe we have a good offensive line. So it’s going to be a great NFL football game. We gotta get the ball out quickly, too, and execute. That’s all we can do.”

It only took one game for Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones to obliterate his statistics from a lost rookie season, rushing for 75 yards on 13 carries against the 49ers Sunday. Jones bulked up to 220 pounds this offseason and it showed, as the hard-charging back ran through several arm tackles. 

“I don’t know if [his hand] could’ve gotten any hotter unless he [would have] run through the last one and scored a couple times,” HC Bruce Arians said via Carmen Vitall of the team’s official website. “But he was very decisive and there were a lot of holes for him to be decisive in. He was running through arm tackles and that’s exactly what I expected out of him.”

• The Buccaneers listed QB Blaine Gabbert as the only player to not practice in practice Wednesday. He’s likely out for Thursday’s game. 

Falcons

• According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Falcons first-round G Chris Lindstrom had successful surgery on his foot and is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 10. 

Panthers

• The Panthers ruled out LB Bruce Irvin for Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers. (David Newton)
• Panthers TE Greg Olsen was listed as questionable but said earlier in the week he plans on playing.