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Sprain Shouldn't Sideline Sears

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 1, 2008

TAMPA - It is rare for Bucs coach Jon Gruden to deliver encouraging injury news during his Monday news conference, but he finally did.

Gruden said rookie LG Arron Sears sustained a sprained ankle during a 31-23 loss against Carolina and should play this week. Sears, injured on the third play of the game, left the stadium wearing a protective boot on his right leg. It was feared he could miss significant playing time, but the injury does not appear devastating.

"They took him in and evaluated him," Gruden said. "We've got a number of doctors that have some long-lasting evaluation periods. We'll just update you on Wednesday as to what his status is, but there was some concern Sunday when he twisted his ankle."

The concern is there because Tampa Bay already has several key players nursing injuries. RB Earnest Graham, WRs Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, S Jermaine Phillips, LB Barrett Ruud and FB B.J. Askew did not play in the regular-season finale to prevent further damage to their nagging injuries.

However, Gruden said Askew, who has played sparingly the past few weeks because of a severely sprained ankle, will play in Sunday's home playoff game against the New York Giants.

"We've had concerns all year," Gruden said. "We've lost our quarterback, running backs, fullbacks, left tackles and we've lost a lot of guys. Our receiving corps is depleted. We hope to have some of these guys ready to go for New York.

"I think everybody at this point in time has their share of injuries. I'm done talking about the analyzing of the last two weeks and the injury status. We're going to go out and play and we'll get what we deserve."

HAPPY TO BE HERE: Tampa Bay's players are happy to be making their second playoff appearance in the past three years.

"Ronde Barber and I had a great conversation about last year when we were 4-12, guys that are eight, nine, 10 years and above, you don't want to go 4-12," WR Ike Hilliard said. "If you are good enough to play for that long, you just want an opportunity to play for the big one. I played 11 years and been fortunate enough to be in six playoffs, but I've only been in one Super Bowl and I didn't take advantage of that opportunity. I'm definitely excited about the chance just to be in the tournament and hopefully we'll make that run to the Super Bowl."

NO SELLOUT ... YET: Tickets are still available for Sunday's playoff game but Gruden is optimistic it will sell out.

"No, I'm not disappointed," Gruden said. "I'm confident it'll be a great crowd and enthusiastic one."

LOOKING AHEAD: Tampa Bay owns the 20th pick in the NFL draft, which will be held April 26-27, but several outcomes could alter its position.

According to NFC information manager Randall Liu, if the Bucs and Redskins (the two teams tied in the 9-7 segment) are eliminated in the same round, Tampa Bay will select 20th and Washington 21st, based on Washington's stronger strength of schedule. However, if Washington is knocked out and Tampa Bay advances to the next round, Washington will select 20th and Tampa Bay 21st. Those positions are reversed if the Bucs are knocked out a round before the Redskins.

In addition, the two Super Bowl teams drop out of their segment and have the final two picks of the first round (winner selects last).

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