Bucs declared QB Josh Freeman, CB Myron Lewis, DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE Michael Bennett, G Derek Hardman, T James Lee, and WR Micheal Spurlock inactive for Week 13 against the Panthers. Josh Johnson will start at quarterback. Bennett will be replaced by rookie Da'Quan Bowers at left defensive end.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Josh Freeman (shoulder) will not play in Sunday's game against the Panthers. Josh Johnson will make his first start since 2009 in Freeman's place. He'll be backed up by Rudy Carpenter, who was signed off the practice squad on Saturday. With LeGarrette Blount on a hot streak and the Panthers' run defense amongst the worst in the league, the Bucs were always going to go run heavy today, but Blount is now a good bet for his most touches of the season. He's Rotoworld's ninth-ranked running back for Week 13.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris said Friday that Josh Freeman (questionable, shoulder) will be a game-time decision in Week 13 against the Panthers. Morris said the decision will "definitely" go to Sunday. Freeman has resumed throwing, but the Bucs may put him on a bit of a pitch count against a Panthers defense they should be able to whip with the run game. "(Freeman) may be questionable, but they do expect him to be available to play," ESPN's John Clayton reported on SportsCenter Friday. Freeman has been no better than a two-quarterback league option this season. His throwing-arm injury is a Week 13 concern for receiver Mike Williams.

Josh Freeman (shoulder) resumed throwing in Friday's practice. Freeman appeared to be headed for a game-time decision at this time yesterday, but things are looking up. He insists he could have played in a game by mid-week, and OC Greg Olson says his QB has made huge strides since Sunday. Expect him to be under center against the Panthers on Sunday.

Josh Freeman (shoulder) said on his radio show Thursday that he could have played if necessary by Wednesday of this week. Freeman's MRI showed only bruising in his shoulder rather than a tear. While his arm strength will likely be down this week, it now looks like he's on track to start against the Panthers on Sunday.

Bucs OC Greg Olson noted that Josh Freeman (shoulder) has made significant improvement from Sunday to Thursday. Although Freeman wasn't throwing in the media-access portion of practice, coach Raheem Morris revealed that he did some soft tossing on Thursday. He's still shaping up as a game-time decision.

Josh Freeman (shoulder) wasn't throwing again in Thursday's limited practice.

Josh Freeman was limited in Bucs practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, and is day-to-day according to coach Raheem Morris. He did no throwing today. Freeman hurt himself on a quarterback sneak on Tampa's final play against the Titans. Freeman has dealt with a number of minor injuries this season, but has yet to miss a game in what has been an extremely disappointing campaign. He'll become more questionable if he's limited again on Thursday, but will likely be under center against the Panthers.

The Bucs acknowledged that Josh Freeman required five stitches in his right (throwing) thumb after a gun recoiled at a shooting range on Oct. 31. The incident did not violate any terms in Freeman's contract, and he never missed a practice. He had the stitches removed during the bye week and posted his best passer rating of the season the following game at New Orleans. A sprain to the same thumb late in the Oct. 23 loss to the Bears may have contributed to his four interceptions. Freeman is fully healthy as of Week 13.

Josh Freeman completed 18-of-33 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Titans in Week 12. Freeman went right back to Mike Williams for a 3-yard score after overthrowing him in the back corner of the end zone on the previous play. Other than that score, he was ineffective once again, averaging just 6.0 yards per attempt. Freeman has a friendlier matchup against the Panthers in Week 13.