Carl Nicks done for the season due to staph infection

Nerve damage has affected the strength and sensation in his foot, and sources told Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports that Nicks, who played in just two games this season, has received mixed messages from doctors about whether he will be able to resume his NFL career. He is scheduled to meet with a foot specialist soon to receive greater clarity on the matter.

The injury is in part a holdover from a toe problem that ended his 2012 season, an issue from which Nicks has never fully recovered.

Nicks has appeared in just two games for the Bucs this season since contracting a staph (or MRSA) infection during an outbreak at the Buccaneers’ facility during training camp. He was deemed MRSA-free in September, but the infection reared its head again and Nicks was forced to sit after undergoing surgery to clean out an infected toe.

Nicks has yet to officially be ruled out for the year, and Schiano said he is still holding out hope that Nicks can bounce back and play Week 17.