National Football League

Bucs TE Stocker out with hip injury

Published Jul. 31, 2011 12:08 a.m. ET

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie tight end Luke Stocker will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a right hip injury.

The fourth-round selection from Tennessee said Saturday that his status is ''week to week.'' He jammed the hip during the first day of training camp Friday.

Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris expects Stocker to be out a minimum of two weeks.

''It's the hand you get dealt and I have to play it now,'' Stocker said.

The Bucs completed the signing of all their draft picks from this year by reaching a deal with running back Allen Bradford, who was taken in the sixth round.

Also, the Tampa Bay players voted unanimously Friday night in favor of union recertification. Reconstituting the union was a condition to concluding the collective bargaining agreement that was recently reached.

Once the CBA is fully squared away, veteran free agents who have signed new contracts in the past few days will be allowed to practice with their teams. Those players are currently allowed to attend team meetings, work out individually and watch - but not participate - in practice.

Tackle Jeremy Trueblood and guard Davin Joseph were among a group of players that watched Saturday's on-field session from the sidelines.

''I don't think it's fair to either side,'' Trueblood said. ''It's something you have to deal with.''

Joseph agreed it's not an ideal situation.

''We're able to workout at another facility close by, so we're able to get some work in,'' Joseph said. ''But it's just not the same.''

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