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Sears' Status For Playoffs Unknown

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

Updated: 12/30/2007 11:44 pm

TAMPA - It took only three plays for Tampa Bay to sustain another key injury.

Bucs rookie LG Arron Sears injured his right ankle on the third play of Sunday's regular-season finale against Carolina. Sears limped off the field and was escorted to the locker room by the Bucs' medical staff.

Coach Jon Gruden said he did not know the extent of Sears' injury, but it appeared to be bad. Sears was driven from Tampa Bay's locker room on a golf cart while wearing a protective plastic boot on his lower leg. He was unavailable for comment.

Sears likely will have more tests today and his status for Sunday's playoff game against the Giants will be determined later in the week

Backup C Matt Lehr replaced Sears on the line and performed well despite his inactivity this season.

"He did a nice job coming in," Bucs C John Wade said. "It just shows how much he has prepared even though he hasn't played much in 16 weeks. He got a couple snaps in New Orleans, but virtually no playing time."

Sears' injury is just one of many big hits suffered by Tampa Bay this season.

QB Chris Simms, WR Mark Jones, RB Cadillac Williams, FB Mike Alstott, LT Luke Petitgout and WR Maurice Stovall are key players placed on injured reserve this season. FB B.J. Askew, RB Michael Pittman, WR Ike Hilliard, DE Greg Spires, QB Jeff Garcia and CB Brian Kelly have battled nagging injuries.

BITTERSWEET FOR PLAYERS: The good part for several Bucs backups is they were able to contribute in Sunday's game. The bad for everyone involved was Tampa Bay lost.

The Bucs decided to rest most of their starters against Carolina, giving their young players, and some veterans, a chance to make their mark. All would have loved to have earned a victory in addition to their playing time.

"I didn't play all that well. There are a lot of things that I need to get better on," rookie LB Quincy Black said.

Black did force a fumble on special teams, the first of his career. WR Chad Lucas also capitalized on his playing time. Lucas, who has spent most of his four-year career on practice squads, had a team-high five receptions for 82 yards.

"It's kind of mixed emotions. I'm happy that I did well, but we play to win and we lost today. That is why I have mixed emotions about today's game," Lucas said. "It felt great to play. This is my second year here. This is an opportunity that a free agent dreams of, starring in a game. When they told me I was going to start, I just wanted to go out there and prepare like I've been doing. Play and have fun."

Veteran LB Jeremiah Trotter had played sparingly most of this season and finished with a team-high eight tackles. He believes he will have more fun once he gets acclimated to Tampa Bay's defense.

"I have to get back to reacting and get the scheme down to where it's second nature," Trotter said. "There were a lot of plays where I was thinking too much and not just playing my style. It's going to come with more playing time."

STEVENS GETTING HOT: TE Jerramy Stevens appears to be the hottest player heading into the playoffs.

Stevens caught the fourth touchdown pass in his past four games, excluding a one-game suspension he received for previously violating the league's NFL substance abuse policy. He finished with four receptions for 30 yards and has quickly become the favorite target of Tampa Bay's quarterbacks.

"We're out there to win and I'm just trying to do what I can when my number is called," Stevens said. "I'm not concerned about my stats. Obviously, I'm playing to win the game. That's the focus and I'm just doing whatever I can.

BUCS BITS: K Matt Bryant moved into fifth place in team history for points scored (285) ... Tampa Bay set a franchise record for fewest interceptions thrown in a single season with eight. The previous record was 10 in 2002 ... Tampa Bay's 10-play, 98-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter was the longest scoring drive in team history. The previous record was 97 yards, accomplished twice (against New Orleans on Nov. 2, 2003, and against Tennessee on Oct. 14, 2001). ... CB Phillip Buchanon record his third interception (16th of his career), which is second best on the team. ... Tampa Bay's 2008 schedule will feature home games against the NFC South (Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans), Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland, San Diego and Seattle. The Bucs' road games will be against Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas and its division opponents.

Anwar S. Richardson

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