Bucs worried about Smith

When Bucs KR Clifton Smith sustained his first concussion this season, Coach Raheem Morris was concerned.

After Smith received his second concussion on Sunday, Morris appeared worried.

Smith was injured covering the opening kickoff at Carolina. He was on the ground for several minutes before eventually walking off the field, and he did not return to the game.

Earlier this season, Smith missed one game after Carolina's Dante Wesley launched himself into Smith as he waited to field a punt. Wesley was penalized and ejected from the game, and was suspended one game without pay.

Morris said he expects Tampa Bay to take a more cautious approach when dealing with Smith because of his recent pattern of concussions.

"That's a no-brainer," Morris said. "I'm sure there will be (a more cautious approach) with what's going on with concussions and what's going on in society with concussions in the NFL."

Last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell notified teams of stricter return-to-play rules that went into immediate effect due to growing concern about concussions. Because he left the game Sunday, Smith will not be considered for return-to-football activities until "he is fully asymptomatic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and (an) independent neurological consultant."

If Smith is unable to play against the New York Jets, rookie WR Sammie Stroughter will continue to return kicks and punts. Stroughter had five kickoff returns against Carolina for 129 yards, including a long of 33 yards, and returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown earlier this season.

"I wish Clifton the best," Stroughter said. "We know he's going to be strong and healthy and be back as soon as possible."

Stovall will keep getting playing time

WR Maurice Stovall played well in place of injured Michael Clayton on Sunday, but do not expect any roster changes.

Clayton did not play because of a knee injury, and Morris declined to say who would start when Clayton returns.

"Stovall will continue to play, no matter if he's a starter or not," Morris said. "Those guys started splitting reps because I think Michael Clayton is a better player when he plays less snaps because he plays so hard. He kind of has that (Panthers WR) Muhsin Muhammad mentality that he's going to block you every snap and go so hard that when you go to him in the clutch, he's tired.

"That's a problem. I told him he didn't need to play more than 30 snaps or 40 snaps anyway. That's where he is and that's where they are."

Trying not to be second worst

Tampa Bay (1-11) avoided a winless season by defeating Green Bay, but needs to win two of its final four to avoid matching the franchise record for the most losses in a single season.

The Bucs have never lost more than 14 games in a season. They were 0-14 in their inaugural 1976 season and, after the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, finished 2-14 in 1983, 1985 and 1986.

Anwar S. Richardson