Week 5 in the National Football League is not exactly chock full of great matchups, at least not compared to Week 4. This Sunday also marks the first week of byes across the league, and with six teams not playing this week, there are 13 games instead of 16 for fans to watch and enjoy. One of the more intriguing matchups however will take place in San Francisco when the 3-1 49ers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also 3-1.
For Tampa Bay, every Sunday is important as the Saints and Falcons will most likely continue to win games and contend for a playoff berth. For the 49ers, the stakes are a bit lower considering how putrid the NFC West is. I’m sure Jim Harbaugh is not thinking in those terms though. Despite the 3-1 start, the 49ers have plenty of room to improve. They’ll get a nice test on both sides of the ball from Raheem Morris’ Buccaneers squad.
Let’s take a look at the Friday injury reports for both squads before the weekend officially starts and the countdown to Sunday football begins in earnest.
Tampa Bay:
Out (will not play Sunday): S Devin Holland (back), T James Lee (knee), TE Luke Stocker (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot)
Doubtful: LB Zach Diles (hamstring)
Questionable: LB Quincy Black (ankle)
Probable: DE Michael Bennett (groin), DE Tim Crowder (knee), RB Earnest Graham (hamstring), TE Zack Pianalto (calf), CB Aqib Talib (knee)
San Francisco
Out: CB Tramaine Brock (hand), WR Braylon Edwards (knee), RB Moran Norris (fibula)
Doubtful: DT Isaac Sopoaga (infection)
Questionable: CB Shawntae Spencer (toe)
Probable: WR Michael Crabtree (foot), RB Frank Gore (ankle), G Mike Iupati (neck), G Adam Snyder (hamstring)
For more on the Buccaneers, head over to Bucs Nation. For more on the 49ers head over to Niners Nation.