Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never played a regular-season game in which Pro Bowl guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph were in the lineup together.

That might finally change this week.

Nicks, who has missed nearly a month of work with a MRSA infection on his left foot, returned to practice Wednesday and later said he could return to the Bucs’ lineup Sunday against the Saints.

“I’m MRSA clear,’’ Nicks declared with a wide smile after participating in a limited fashion in the workout at One Buc Place. “I’m all right. I’m just trying to get back out there and, hopefully, I’ll be ready for this game.’’

The Bucs signed Nicks to a five-year, $47.5 million contract in the spring of 2012 with the idea of pairing the two-time Pro Bowl left guard with Joseph, a two-time Pro Bowl right guard.

The two were together for a few snaps in the first three preseason games last year, but Joseph was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the third exhibition game. That was just the start of a string of calamities that included Nicks suffering a season-ending left big toe injury in Week 8 and the discovery of the MRSA infection last month.

Nicks has fought the infection with antibiotics ever since, but said he was recently cleared to return to normal activity after cultures and blood samples came back clear of the infection.

“Anytime you get any kind of injury like that there’s pain, but it was more mental than anything,’’ Nicks said of dealing with the infection. “I wasn’t really scared, just irritated that I couldn’t be out there with my guys.’’

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Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Good to hear and I hope he plays...... and we bust his A$$!

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Is it wrong that my first thought is the D-lineman should stand on his feet every chance they get

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

To be honest Lee. If he lined up across from me that is what I would do. Call me what you will, but any advantage is an advantage.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

He could suit up wearing sandals or open flip flops, and the RB could hop up and ride on his back all the way to the end zone -- nobody would want to get within ten feet of him to tackle him. Even the refs would wave him through to the end zone.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Enjoy getting your ass whooped by Cameron Jordan all game!

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

I doubt he plays.. if he isn't 100 percent what's the point. plus I want us to run over the oline lol

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

You may be right. Yesterday was the first time he's practiced in a month.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

I don't know if we want our guys in that locker room. Can we get out own people in their to disinfect the place?

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

^

ditto. Hope their guys have learned how to wash their hands after they take a dump. Geez.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

That MRSA is not gone. :bs:

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Good to hear and I hope he plays.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Play. No excuses when you get rolled up by Jordan, Hicks and Jenkins

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Grubbs needs to remind us of why we don't need him. The Bucs haven't gotten much out of Nicks so far.........let's keep it that way.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

I know, seriously! If I were the coach, I'd be planning to roll up in the team bus with everybody already in cleats and pads, ready to go straight to the field, like a high school game. And then straight back out to the bus after the final gun. They have safe showers and clean places to hold postgame interviews back at the hotel. That MRSA stuff is nasty and could derail a team's whole season.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Prophylactic injections of Vancomycin night before and upon departure...;)

And you know some offensive lineman is going wipe/snot his forearm before the first play...:annoyed:

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Originally Posted by dueceloose
I doubt he plays.. if he isn't 100 percent what's the point. plus I want us to run over the oline lol

Agree- 'practiced' does not mean he is in any kind of shape

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Probably smoke and mirrors. I would think they have to get him back and ready to go and that would take a week or two. Maybe I am wrong

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

According to the Mayo Clinic:
Risk factors for CA-MRSA
Participating in contact sports. MRSA can spread easily through cuts and abrasions and skin-to-skin contact.

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

Maybe they use him as a way to open up holes if no one wants to touch/block him due to the infections potential...

Re: Nicks clear of MRSA - might play against Saints
 

The MRSA was at the practice facility not the stadium so I don't think we have anything to worry about.