Tampa Bay Buccaneers Guard Carl Nicks is making progress

Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks (77) on the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a huge splash in free agency when they brought in both wide receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks.

The Bucs gave Nicks, arguably the best guard in football, a $47.5 million deal and in the process, stole him away from a division rival in the New Orleans Saints.

Nicks and the Bucs offense got off to a fantastic start, beginning the year with a record of 6-4. Unfortunately for the Bucs and Nicks, he only played in seven games because of a toe problem.

Nicks is again having injury problems this season – the two time pro bowler has an infected blister on his left foot. He developed the injury during the Bucs’ joint practices with the New England Patriots leading up to their August 16th matchup in Gillette Stadium.

Last week, it was discovered that both Nicks and kicker Lawrence Tynes developed MRSA infections. Tynes had an operation to remove the infection while Nicks received treatment from the team.

According to Bucs coach Greg Schiano, Nicks is progressing well.

“Responding well,” Schiano told Andrew Astleford of Fox Sports Florida. “Carl, I know more about since he is here. Carl is healing up. Timeline, I don’t know. I can’t put a definite date on that, but he is healing, and he is recovering. With Lawrence, he’s not in town. But everything that can be done is being done to make sure that everybody recovers.”

The Bucs will conclude the preseason against the Washington Redskins Thursday night and open the regular season at the New York Jets on September 8.

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