Devastating news for Bucs: Carl Nicks out for season

The Tampa Bay Bucs, who were just starting to be talked about in serious conversation about a possible playoff run, released some devistating news today when they announced All-Pro Guard Carl Nicks would be lost for the season.

Bucs All Pro Carl Nicks out for season

The free agent acquistion from New Orleans will require surgery to repair a torn plantar plate in his left toe. He started all seven games with the Buccaneers since joning the team and had recorded 68 consecutive starts.

It's a particularly tough blow for Tampa because the Bucs had already lost , their other highly touted guard, before the season to an injury.

 

With Nicks anchoring the offensive line, the Bucs have allowed the fifth fewest sacks in the NFL and were ranked ninth in the league in points per game. Their run game with rookie Doug Martin has been particularly effective when running from the left side behind Nicks and Donald Penn.

 

In the last three weeks, the Bucs led the NFL in points, total yards, passing yard and yards per play and ranked third in rushing yards.

 

The Bucs also placed TE Danny Noble on Injured Reserve and announced it has elevated guard Roger Allen to the active roster from its practice squad.

 

 Noble (hamstring), a rookie from Toledo, has played in four games and been inactive for three others this season.

Allen (6-3, 325) is in his third season from Missouri Western State after entering the league with St. Louis in 2009. After earning a 53-man roster spot out of training camp, he went on to play in two games that season, including one start.