Analysis

A left knee injury has sidelined Otton the last two games, and a DNP to kick off Week 18 prep isn't exactly a great sign that he'll be available Sunday against the Saints. Payne Durham and Devin Culp have filled in for Otton during that span, but Durham also missed Wednesday's session due to a quadriceps issue, while Culp was limited due to a rib concern. As such, the state of the Buccaneers' tight end group is in flux heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints.

Analysis

Otton thus will miss a second game in a row due to a left knee injury that has allowed him to practice only once (limited last Friday) over the last two weeks of prep. Payne Durham will take on most of the TE reps for the Buccaneers in Week 17, which amounted to five catches (on seven targets) for 29 yards on a 92 percent snap share this past Sunday at Dallas. Otton will turn his focus to getting healthy enough for a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

Analysis

Otton also kicked off last week with back-to-back DNPs before getting back on the field as limited Friday while donning a large brace on his left knee. He was listed as doubtful and then ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's game at Dallas, but it remains to be seen how the Buccaneers tag him ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Panthers. If Otton is inactive again Sunday, Payne Durham would pick up the slack at tight end for Tampa Bay.

Analysis

Otton opened last week as a non-participant on the first two practice reports before returning to drills Friday as a limited participant, but he was spotted with a large brace on his left knee during the session. A doubtful designation followed for the tight end, and he proceeded to sit out this past Sunday's loss to Dallas. Otton will have two more opportunities to prove his health this week before the Buccaneers potentially make a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's game versus the Panthers. Payne Durham will fill in for Otton if the latter is limited or out this weekend.

Analysis

This was predictable, as Otton was listed as doubtful following Friday's final injury report. Given the starting end won't travel with the team to Dallas, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp will likely act as a positional platoon in an effort to replace Otton's multi-faceted capabilities.

Analysis

Otton returned to practice Friday as a limited participant, using a large brace over his left knee, with Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles telling reporters that he expected the tight end to be a game-time decision Sunday. Things may not have gone as well in practice as Bowles was hoping for, and the Bucs now consider Otton unlikely to play, leaving Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp as candidates to pick up extra snaps at tight end. Durham has been getting the most playing time of the bunch in recent weeks, but he's caught just two passes all season (which is two more than Kieft or Culp).

Analysis

Otton handled his usual, near-every-down role in last week's win over the Chargers but then missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. River Wells of Bucs Gameday spotted Otton at practice Friday, albeit with a large brace over his injured left knee. The Buccaneers figure to list their starting tight end as questionable on the final injury report unless he emerges from practice with a setback.

Analysis

Otton has yet to take part in drills this week while donning a knee brace on the side at practice, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. In the event that Otton isn't able to play Sunday in Dallas, offensive coordinator Liam Coen expressed confidence that Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and even rookie seventh-rounder Devin Culp will be able to fill in capably for Otton, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Ultimately, the Buccaneers may make a ruling on Otton's upcoming availability as soon as they post their final Week 16 injury report Friday.

Analysis

Since earning 10-plus targets in three consecutive games from Weeks 7 through 9, Otton has mustered a 15-179-0 line on 25 targets over the last five games. The downturn in production was likely a byproduct of Mike Evans' return to the lineup Week 12, but Otton also has just three red-zone targets over the last four games and hasn't scored a touchdown during that time. Otton's health is now worth tracking as the Buccaneers prepare for Sunday's contest at Dallas.