Faine Watch, Week Four

All eyes will be on One Buccaneer Place today to see if the news on the injury front will improve this week.

Tampa Bay center Jeff Faine was injured early against Cincinnati about a month ago.  The Buccaneers still won the game, and have been 2-2 since.  Faine is an important interior component of the offensive line, a piece not easily replaced.  Jeremy Zuttah has filled in well during Faine's absence and rookie Ted Larsen has proven to be up to the task filling Zuttah's old position at left guard.  Nonetheless, having a working three man rotation in the middle (Faine, Zuttah, Larsen) for the last quarter of the season could go a long way towards getting the Buccaneers into the playoffs.

Last week, Jeff Faine had limited participation in practice for one day, then was held out for the remainder of the week, most likely to evaluate his condition and continue specialized therapy to rehab his injury. Without much practice time last week, Faine is most likely out this week as well. If Faine is to return next week then at least limited participation for a majority of the practices this week would be a big step in the right direction.

The Buccaneers are entering the stretch run of the season.  Hopefully this week starts the return to All Hands On Deck!