TAMPA, Fla. -- Two-time Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks said he plans to play Friday, which would be his first preseason action since sustaining a torn plantar plate in his left toe last October.
"I plan on playing some this next preseason game and obviously the third one," Nicks said. "We'll see how it goes. ... I'm going to have to deal with it my whole life. It is what it is. I have all the confidence in the world that I will be playing."
Nicks has been limited in practice throughout training camp, though he has participated in live drills on occasion. Despite the Bucs' caution with him, he has said he is confident that he will be healthy enough to play in Tampa Bay's season opener. The sixth-year player signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal with the Bucs in March 2012.
"We could be very special," Nicks said. "I've got high aspirations and goals for this team. Offensive line, that's where it's going to start."
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
