Tampa Bay Buccaneers unsure G Carl Nicks will be ready for Week 2
By Mike Dyce
Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks has been out with following an operation to his toe for a staph infection. Nicks was considered a long shot to play in the season opener and ultimately was unavailable and didn’t play.
Coach Schiano says Carl Nicks (foot) is getting closer to returning but isn't yet sure if Nicks will play against the Saints.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 9, 2013
“We have guys on our roster on the offensive line and we’ll just choose one of them,’’ Schiano said. “They all can play guard so one of them will be the starting guard if Carl can’t play.’’
The Buccaneers have multiple options and discussed them before last weeks games.
“It’s always an option because we’ve done it,’’ Schiano said. “But I wouldn’t say that’s the way we’re going to go or that’s not the way we’re going to go. Right now we just have to get the best five on the field. We’ll evaluate that when we know definitively about Carl.’’
Ultimately Gabe Carimi filled in for Nicks. Carimi has spent most of his career at tackle but has been playing guard in practice recently. Pro Football Focus gave the Buccaneers an extremely low grade in Week 1 run blocking