Buccaneers vs. Jets Injuries: Erik Lorig won't play

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be missing three starters tomorrow, none of whom made the trip to New York. The full injury report suggests a few more players could be out, too.

Bucs FB Erik Lorig did not make the trip to New York with the team Saturday. Lorig, LG Carl Nicks and TE Tom Crabtree will not play opener

— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) September 7, 2013

This could be an issue for the Bucs, who played Erik Lorig on 40% of all snaps last season. He was a key part of their running game, and was a more than adequate blocker -- although his vision was lacking, at times. The Bucs trust him to play well, though, as evidenced by the fact that he's on the roster despite missing all of the preseason and a large part of the offseason.

The Bucs tried to fill the role with Tom Crabtree in the preseason -- but he will miss the season opener with an ankle injury. Backup running backs Brian Leonard and Peyton Hillis both have experience at fullback. Of the two, Leonard is most likely to fill that role. He's more versatile than Hillis, and has generally been a better NFL fullback -- although neither has been particularly good in that role. Schiano also has experience with Leonard at fullback going back to his Rutgers days.

More from Bucs Nation:

• Walter Football is an awful website
• Saturday College Football Open Thread
• Daily Bucs Links: Previewing week one
• Darrelle Revis on ESPN E:60: Revis Island
• Buccaneers vs. Jets Injury Report: Darrelle Revis fully healthy; Carl Nicks, Tom Crabtree and Quinton Coples are out