The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be short one important pass catcher in their Week 16 showdown with Dallas to defend the lead in the NFC South.

Tight end Cade Otton was officially ruled out of Sunday’s game on Saturday afternoon, as reported by Adam Schefter.

Otton’s absence is due to a knee injury he sustained during the week. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday before reappearing Friday as a limited participant while wearing a knee brace.

Head coach Todd Bowles said on Friday that Otton would be a game-time decision on Sunday before the tight end was listed as doubtful, so his likelihood to not play was expected.

Cade Otton
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with tight end Cade Otton #88 after scoring a touchdown during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers…


Otton won’t travel with the Buccaneers to Dallas.

Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp are next in line on the depth chart. All three tight ends are expected to work as a platoon in compensating for Otton’s absence.

This story is in the process of updates.