Buccaneers Injury updates: Gerald McCoy, Sammie Stroughter, Luke Stocker back at practice

by Sander on Oct 19, 2011 11:55 AM EDT

Despite suffering a high ankle sprain less than two weeks ago, Gerald McCoy is already back at practice. While there's no word on how limited he was during practice, just the fact that he was able to go out and test his ankle is obviously good news. While Frank Okam, Roy Miller and Da'Quan Bowers filled in admirably for the injured defensive tackle against the New Orleans

Having Luke Stocker and Sammie Stroughter will help the offense, which seemed to have a breakout game against the New Orleans Saints. Stroughter has been seemingly replaced by Preston Parker as a slot receiver, but he did return a kickoff 90-odd yards on his only play of the 2011 season so far. Stroughter injured his foot on that return and has not played or practiced since.

Meanwhile, the loss of Luke Stocker has prompted the Buccaneers to use a lot of 6-lineman sets the past two weeks, with tackle Demar Dotson coming onto the field to aid both the run- and pass-blocking. While Dotson has looked good, he isn't going to go out and run routes or catch passes and having Stocker back would help give the Bucs offense a little extra versatility.

The bad news is that Jeff Faine and Legarrette Blount were not practicing, and Michael Bennett was also missing from practice. Faine injured his biceps against the Saints, while Legarrette Blount reportedly sprained his MCL the week before. It's not clear what ails Michael Bennett and whether he's in danger of missing the upcoming game.

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Great news.

Get these guys some game action, then have everyone rest up over the bye to come back strong @ NO.

It is slightly concerning that we seemed to turn the corner last week without our full compliment of players. I think it’s doubly important to get as many guys as possible back on the field vs. Chicago to make sure we’re in sync moving forward.

Follow me @worldwidemaldo.

by jMagic09 on Oct 19, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. We can beat the bears wothout them though.

Sounds like the roster is getting healthy, besides the usual wear and tear of the games.
we need everyone healthy for our rematch with the saints.
Looks like the bye week is coming at the right time.

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 19, 2011 12:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I love using Demar Dotson as a 6th blocker

We need to do that more often.

by dcbucsfan on Oct 19, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

No we don't

He is serviceable, but just as Sanders mentioned, he will not run routes and catch passes. Stocker is a very strong blocker and can make plays in the passing game. He gives our Offence more chances to pass out of to TE sets to help keep defenses on their toes.

by Bucsfan123 on Oct 19, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Stocker

But obviously Dotson is a better blocker and yes he wont catch passes or run routes but with Dotson in our run game improved tremendously with Dotson in. He shouldnt be in every play but use it more often. It was working and even though they know we are running its hard for them to stop. And who knows he might catch a pass or two.

by dcbucsfan on Oct 19, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah they gave earnest graham good holes the whole game

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 19, 2011 3:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Big Holes

by dcbucsfan on Oct 19, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't see a big difference between the run blocking with Dotson or Stocker, honestly

Dotson’s better, but the impact of the sixth man on the line just isn’t that big

Bucs Nation - your source for Tampa Bay Buccaneers content

by Sander on Oct 19, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree.

Maybe in a zone blocking scheme I can see your point, but seeing how we run a lot of Pat Morris’ man blocking scheme, an extra big man up front helps tremendously, especially in the run game.

by jBen05 on Oct 19, 2011 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by dcbucsfan on Oct 19, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The Dotson schemes looked pretty solid

Maybe if we see more Stocker completions in the alternate scenario it would sway things.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 19, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice to see more of our players starting to come off the injury list than going on it.

Listen to them, the children of the night. What sweet music they make.

by Gatorbuc15 on Oct 19, 2011 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Damn! I need Blount to play this weekend for fantasy purposes!!!!

Still waiting for the day that the NFL comes back to LA...

by LABucsFan on Oct 19, 2011 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Lol if i were you i would pick up Torain or Graham

by dcbucsfan on Oct 19, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Both have already been picked up. I picked up Choice (Dallas), Moore (Detroit), and a RB from Cleveland (i forgot his name) in case Hillis can't start.

Still waiting for the day that the NFL comes back to LA...

by LABucsFan on Oct 20, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Try Marshawn Lynch too

by dcbucsfan on Oct 20, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

my fantasy rb situation is as bad

Jamaal Charles on IR and Blount injured.

Gotta play 2 from shon Greene, Daniel Thomas and mark Ingram

Looking at matchups I’m leaning toward Greene and Ingram but not entirely sure

by RotatedCuff on Oct 21, 2011 6:07 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Oh no faine injured, who saw that coming?

Great news for mccoy, I think bowers will do just fine too

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 19, 2011 4:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Bowers looked pretty good last week

I love his versatility!!!!!!

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 19, 2011 4:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Cutlers gonna be on the ground a lot

Hopefully

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 19, 2011 4:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It's great to see him out there

Here’s hoping it’s only the beginning- last I checked he’s got a lot more “points” to make.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 19, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh

It’s always nice to have Jeff Faine in the lineup; shame that it happens so infrequently.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 19, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Once again...

Jeff Faine is gone for the season. IMO it’s time to cut ties with Faine and name Zuttah the starting C going into the future. Faine is grossly over-paid/overrated at this point in his career; not to mention, he’s never ever ever ever healthy. Zuttah is younger and flat out a better player/athlete (IMO) than Faine. Zuttah has earned a long term commitment from the Bucs; It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Faine come the end of the season.

by ctd1977 on Oct 20, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Faine is not gone for the season

He is gone for a week or two. He’ll be back after the bye week.

And Faine is a better center than Zuttah. Given the fact that the Bucs have tons of cap space, there’s no room whatsoever to cut him. You need depth on a team as well as quality starters. Cutting Faine only hurts.

Bucs Nation - your source for Tampa Bay Buccaneers content

by Sander on Oct 20, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions