TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Johnthan Banks is cleared to play Sunday.
In a joint NFL/NFLPA statement Saturday night, the organizations concluded that the rookie poses no risk to other players and can play in the Bucs' Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
On Friday, the Bucs revealed he was the third player in the franchise to contract MRSA, a serious staph infection resistant to some antibiotics, joining guard Carl Nicks and kicker Lawrence Tynes, who were both diagnosed in August.
Here is the full statement:
"The NFL and NFLPA have worked together in response to the MRSA matter in Tampa Bay. The jointly retained specialist has met with the team, supervised the inspection of the facilities, conducted medical examinations and agrees with the team medical staff that Mr. Banks does not pose a risk of transmission to other players. The specialist also met with team officials from the Eagles. All players have been advised of the process and we will continue to work together to jointly monitor the situation."
