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Carl Nicks injury: Buccaneers guard is likely out for the season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to finish the season as they've played it: without their best offensive lineman.

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

This should come as no surprise, but it looks like Carl Nicks will not be suiting up again this season. The All-Pro guard has played in just two games this season due to a recurring MRSA issue, and has not suited up since week four of the regular season. The Bucs have kept him on the active roster all this time, presumably in the hope that he'll play again, but Schiano noted that that was unlikely at this point.

With Nicks ruled out for Sunday's game and just one game remaining after that, the man may have a point.
Nicks' career with the Buccaneers has been marred by injury issues, with a chronic foot injury sidelining him for most of last season while the MRSA infection kept him out of play this year. Nicks has played in just nine games
Thankfully, those injuries should not be issues going forward. Although Nicks is likely to play with pain for the rest of his career due to the plantar plate injury he suffered last season, he should be able to get on the field, and he did look very good in the two games he played this year. The MRSA infection is not expected to be a long-term problem and should be resolved well before the start of next season.

While some will call Nicks a bust so far, and his injuries have certainly been disappointing given his five-year, $47.5 million contract, that shouldn't prevent him from being productive going forward. The Bucs will need him, too, given the fact that Davin Joseph at right guard has looked like one of the worst starting guards in the NFL this season.