Bucs' Bidwell may miss entire season

Tampa Bay's special teams took another hit Wednesday with the news veteran punter Josh Bidwell is sidelined indefinitely with a hip injury.

Bidwell, 33, has not missed a game since 2000, but the pain in his right hip became so severe Wednesday that he told Buccaneers officials in training camp that he could no longer punt.

The Bucs shut Bidwell down immediately and ordered additional testing to determine whether he is healthy enough to play in 2009.

"We're looking for more information, and it's too early for us to say exactly what the severity is," said general manager Mark Dominik. "It really flared up on him today and it was real painful for Josh."

On Tuesday, kicker Matt Bryant tweaked his hamstring and missed a day of competing against free-agent addition Mike Nugent. Both Bryant and Bidwell, who was the only punter on Tampa Bay's 80-man roster, have been scratched from Saturday night's preseason opener at Tennessee.

The Bucs are already scrambling for punters. Dominik said Tampa Bay will bring in two punters Thursday in preparation for the game against the Titans.

One possibility is veteran Dirk Johnson, recently released by the Steelers. Johnson, 34, has punted for the Saints, Eagles, Bears and Cardinals, posting a 41.7 average.

In 320 career kicks, Johnson has never suffered a blocked punt.

Bidwell, who also is an adept holder for field-goal attempts, was signed by the Bucs as a free agent in 2004 and made the Pro Bowl following the 2005 season. His 44.0-yard punting average ranks first in franchise history.

Bidwell missed his entire rookie season in 1999 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

"There's a lot of good hip doctors and we want to make sure the right people are looking at Josh," Dominik said. "We want to dig a little deeper. Josh is a tough guy and when he says something is bothering him, you know something's wrong."