Tampa Bay Buccaneers Nicks Treated For MRSA

Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players are being treated for MRSA infections, team and union sources told NFL.com's Albert Breer last Thursday. The situation was described to Breer as "something like what the Cleveland Browns dealt with" from 2003 to 2008. 
MRSA infections are nothing to joke around with, and they're something NFL locker rooms are familiar with. Former Washington Redskins defensive lineman Brandon Noble almost lost a limb during a 2004 outbreak. 
Left guard Carl Nicks and kicker Lawrence Tynes are the affected players, with Nicks' infection affecting his toe. 
Last week before the MRSA infection was announced, coach Greg Schiano said with regards to Nicks' toe, "It's not something you mess around with, but it's not your common injury, either. The next question is how long will it be? I don't know that. We've got to let the medicine run its course and see if we can get that thing straightened out."
The Buccaneers sanitized the facility last weekend while the players were in New England for a preseason game. They will continue to sanitize the facility and the team handed out soap that helps control outbreaks. Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport that there have been no new outbreaks in a week.
"We had a company come in and nuke the building a week ago after the cultures taken from Nicks and Tynes confirmed it was MRSA," Dominik told ESPN.com. "It was a precautionary move, but we don't want to fool around with it. Our owners said spare no expense. We had the facility treated, and the league approved of our actions."
The team announced last Thursday that Nicks will need five to seven days for the medicine to take effect before creating a timetable for his return. Rapoport reported that Nicks won't play the rest of the preseason and is doubtful for Week 1, according to a source. The Buccaneers don't plan on rushing him back to the field. 
The infection on Nicks' toe is the same toe that prematurely ended his 2012 season. With their All-Pro guard out, the team lost the next five of six games. 
Reference: NFL.com and Washington Post. 
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Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
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Tampa Bay's Carl Nicks On Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Buccaneer's veteran offensive guard Carl Nicks was placed on the injured reserve after suffering from a toe injury.

Nicks has been dealing with a torn plantar plate in his left foot all season and will undergo season ending surgery to repair it. He has played through considerable pain the past couple of weeks, but his injury has progressed so it was dangerous to put him on the field, said coach Greg Schiano.
"You talk about a tough, dedicated guy. This guy played through a ton of pain, and it just got to the point where he couldn't play anymore. There were some more tests done. Before that, it was painful. But now it's not safe, and we need to get it fixed," said Schiano.
Nicks has been one of the Buccaneer's bright spots this season. With him anchoring the line, the Buccaneers have the fifth fewest sacks in the NFl while ranking ninth in points per game. The All-Pro player was a costly sign for the team in the offseason- $47.5 million over a five year contract.
The left guard's absence puts a void in the offensive line, which lost two-time Pro-Bowl RG Davin Joseph in the preseason with a season ending knee injury. The best option in replacing Nicks is Ted Larsen, who had been recently benched. Larsen made 14 starts at left guard for the Buccaneers in the past two years, and is hard worker, but may not be best suited for that position.
Schiano says they are going to stick with the game plan, taking out plays that specifically have Nicks involved. "It's a tough loss. That's an understatement when you face a guy of Carl's stature and ability that he brings to the field each week. But nobody is going to feel sorry for us. That's the game."
"You cannot stand there and... actually say that losing Carl is not going to hurt you. He's the best guard in the league," LT Donald Penn said. "We have to step up. The next person has to step up, whoever it's going to be. That's how I got my start. That's how a lot of people got their start in this league."

If you are are suffering from a sports related foot injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
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