TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks will not play Sunday.
In recent days, Bucs coach Greg Schiano had left open the possibility that the two-time Pro Bowl player would appear in the season opener against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. But Friday afternoon, the team ruled Nicks (left foot) out after he did not participate in practices this week.
That means Gabe Carimi, acquired from the Chicago Bears in June, could receive the start at left guard in Nicks' absence. Nicks, who only appeared in seven games last season, developed a blister on his foot in August during joint practices with the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. He later contracted MRSA, a serious staph infection resistant to some antibiotics.
"He's gotten the most reps there," Schiano said of Carimi playing left guard. "There are other guys that could. .... Plenty of guys got reps at that left guard spot, but he got the most. So that's where we're leaning."
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