NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

• According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston‘s broken thumb won’t sideline him this week against the Lions. 
• The Buccaneers tried out RB Bruce Anderson, RB Marcus Marshall, WR Spencer Schnell, WR Trevion Thompson and WR Alex Wesley on Tuesday. (Howard Balzer)
• Tampa Bay also hosted RB Tony Brooks-James for a visit. 
• Buccaneers placed RB T.J. Logan on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Buccaneers promoted WR Ishmael Hyman to their active roster. 

Falcons

• ESPN’s Vaughn McClure highlights pass rusher as the top need for the Falcons in the draft this offseason. 
• Falcons placed W Calvin Ridley and CB Desmond Trufant on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Falcons signed CB Jamar Taylor. (NFLTR)
• Falcons promoted LB Ahmad Thomas to their active roster. 
• Falcons signed TE Carson Meier and LB Quentin Polin to their practice squad.

Panthers

• According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Panthers are considering making an “outside the box” coaching hire and that came in response to a question about if the team would pursue a candidate who is currently the head coach of another team. 
• If that’s the case, Florio says the most obvious candidate would be Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, who Panthers owner David Tepper is familiar with from his time as a minority owner in Pittsburgh. 
• Carolina would likely have to surrender cash and draft picks, assuming Tomlin and the Steelers were even open to considering the move. 
• Panthers QB Cam Newton underwent Lisfranc surgery Monday in New York. (Joseph Person)
• The Panthers are mentioned as a possible destination for Patriots executive Nick Caserio. (Ben Volin)
• Quarterback and the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines rank among the Panthers’ top needs in the draft this coming offseason. (David Newton)