The mysterious case of Arron Sears took another intriguing turn Tuesday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reinstated the troubled third-year guard.
Sears, 25, was a second-round pick in 2007 who started two seasons at left guard before surprising teammates and coaches by declining to participate in Tampa Bay's offseason program and failing to report to training camp.
The Bucs placed the former Tennessee standout on the Reserve/Did Not Report list on July 31 and elevated second-year pro Jeremy Zuttah into Sears' starting spot.
Once Sears dropped out of sight, coaches, players and club executives declined to elaborate on his absence, saying only that Sears was grappling with personal issues.
The Bucs will have a two-week exemption in which Sears will not count toward the club's 53-man active roster. He is eligible to practice and attend all team activities.
"We welcome Arron back to the team," Bucs GM Mark Dominik said. "Throughout this process, we have remained in close contact with Arron and his agent, and this is a good opportunity for him to integrate himself back into our football team."
Tampa Bay's young offensive line was considered a strength of the team heading into the 2009 season. The absence of Sears hurt continuity, and when center Jeff Faine missed four games with a strained triceps, the Bucs struggled to consistently open holes for Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward.
Players and coaches have been reluctant to discuss why Sears, considered by many in the organization as an emerging star, left the team.
Sears missed one game last year because of a concussion, but Bucs executives said his absence is not related to a football injury.
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