Carl Nicks apparently won't be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. Head coach Greg Schiano said Friday that the guard likely won't suit up again with just two games remaining in the regular season, according to Jenna Laine at Sports Talk Florida.
Carl Nicks injury: Buccaneers guard out for the season
Carl Nicks appears to be done for the season, after a long battle against a staph infection initially suffered during training camp.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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.
“You always have hope,” Schiano said. “That was as trying [of] an injury and everything around it so nothing surprised me on that. I just hope that he’s able to get well and that we’re able to get Carl back. That’s my main goal.“Nicks signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract in 2012 that made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. Assuming he doesn’t make a surprise appearance this season, he will have played in just nine game over the last two seasons.
Nicks was one of three players to contract a staph infection for the Buccaneers this past offseason. Kicker Lawrence Tynes was placed on the non-football injury list, a designation he may still be fighting. Rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks managed to appear in 14 games and record 45 tackles and three interceptions.
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