TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without rookie left tackle Donovan Smith for their game against the Panthers on Sunday.
Smith had what Bucs coach Lovie Smith said was his best game yet last week against Houston, but the second-round draft pick suffered a knee injury in that game that is threatening to put him on the shelf.
Along with cornerback Johnthan Banks (knee), center Evan Smith (ankle) and tight ends Luke Stocker (unspecified) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder), Donovan Smith was one of five players to sit out practice Wednesday.
Lovie Smith said he’s hopeful Donovan Smith will return to practice on Thursday, but the Bucs on Wednesday promoted tackle Reid Fragel from the practice squad to the active roster to accommodate for the possible loss of Donovan Smith.