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Bucs WR Bryant has setback in recovery from knee surgery

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Antonio Bryant pushes away Dallas Cowboys Mike Jenkins in the season opener Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, but left the game early. The Bucs lost 34-21.

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2009

Updated: 09/17/2009 03:16 pm

TAMPA - It appears Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Bryant has taken a step back in his recovery from preseason knee surgery.

Bryant did not participate in the team's workout at One Buc Place on Thursday and his chances of playing Sunday at Buffalo are now in question.

"I'm not in the business of anticipation,'' Coach Raheem Morris said when asked if Bryant would be ready for Sunday's game. "I'm in the business of guys showing up for work and playing.''

Bryant had arthroscopic surgery in early August to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and left the season-opening game against Dallas early because of knee fatigue. Bryant said after that game he expected to play at Buffalo.

"It's not an injury,'' Morris said. "He's just hurt right now. We're not real concerned. We're just disappointed for his sake.''

Morris said he will rely on trainer Todd Toriscelli to work with Bryant.

Others who missed practice, according to Morris, were C Jeff Faine (triceps), CB E.J. Biggers (shoulder) and DE Kyle Moore (groin). TE John Gilmore (ankle) and S Jermaine Phillips (calf) were limited.

An injury to Phillips could be especially troubling with the Bucs already thin at safety because of Tanard Jackson's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Phillips, who spend the offseason making the transition from safety to linebacker, returned to his former position during the preseason and started at free safety against Dallas.

The calf injury that caused him to appear on Thursday's injury report, he said, is nothing to worry about.

"It's nothing," Phillips said. "I'll be playing Sunday."

TE Kellen Winslow did practice, Morris said. Winslow was not out for the early portion of the workout that is open to members of the media, but participated in other team and individual drills.

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