TAMPA, Fla. -- Guard Carl Nicks, dealing with a MRSA-infected left foot, underwent surgery Tuesday to try to improve the condition, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday. A timetable for the two-time Pro Bowl player's return is unknown.
Schiano said Nicks, 28, "got an opinion outside of town" and opted for surgery Tuesday night. Nicks had limited participation in practice last Wednesday and Thursday before he missed Friday's session and was ruled questionable for the Bucs' Week 6 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Nicks declared himself MRSA-free on Sept. 11, but the Bucs revealed last Thursday that he had a recurrence of the condition.
"They decided they were going to do surgery last night, so they did surgery," Schiano said. "He's doing well. I don't have a timetable for you, and I don't really have anything more than that. But that's why Carl wasn’t here."
From 2009 to 2011, Nicks never missed a game with the New Orleans Saints, and he gained a reputation as one of the game's best interior linemen protecting Drew Brees. He only played seven games last season because of a torn plantar plate in his left foot. He played in Weeks 3 and 4 this season.
"He’s one of our brothers, one of our family members," Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "It's tough. It's tough for him to be going through that. He's in our prayers. We're definitely thinking about him."
Meanwhile, guard Davin Joseph was limited in practice Wednesday because of a minor left knee injury sustained in the loss to the Eagles. Schiano said the Bucs hope to have Joseph back for all drills Thursday, though the two-time Pro Bowl player remains day-to-day.
"I think he's going to practice tomorrow," Schiano said. "Hope so."
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