NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter told reporters on Friday that RB Peyton Barber (ankle) is “good to go” for Week 8’s game.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially ruled out DE Vinny Curry (ankle) and DT Gerald McCoy (calf) for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

Panthers

• The Carolina Panthers officially ruled out WR Torrey Smith (knee) and LB Andre Smith (hamstring) for Sunday’s game against the Ravens and have S Rashaan Gaulden (ankle) listed as doubtful.

Saints

New Saints CB Eli Apple said he expects to play against the Vikings on Sunday.

“I’m healthy, I have belief (and) I could go out there and definitely make an impact,” Apple said, via Nola.com.

Meanwhile, Saints DC Dennis Allen told reporters that they’ve been working this week to get Apple up to speed so he can debut this weekend.

“We’ve prepared him to be able to play if he’s called upon to do so, and I’m sure that we’ll sit down as a staff with coach (Sean) Payton and make a decision as to if and how much he would play in the game,” Allen said.