The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without two key players entering their Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets:
Three Buccaneers did not travel with the team today and will thus not play Sunday: TE Tom Crabtree, FB Erik Lorig and G Carl Nicks.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 7, 2013
The team lists a foot injury as the reason for Nicks being out but the All-Pro guard has been dealing with MRSA as well as a toe injury. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011 and was a first team All-Pro selection in 2011.
Nicks signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 14, 2012. But on October 30, 2012, Nicks was placed on injured reserve with a toe problem requiring surgery. He had not missed a game since joining the NFL, and is now missing the opener this year.
Crabtree has been out with an ankle injury. He had been projected to share playing time with Luke Stocker at tight end. Crabtree’s absence probably means more playing time for Stocker.
Also, cornerback Darrelle Revis (knee) practiced fully on Friday and is probable for Sunday’s game at the Jets.