TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers again will have to play this week without linebacker Shelton Quarles, who is not fully recovered from a fractured left forearm.
Quarles has not played a down this season after he was hurt in an awkward fall in practice before the first game of the year at Philadelphia. In that incident, he also suffered a dislocated left elbow.
"Shelton Quarles will not play, but he is getting real close," said Coach Jon Gruden. "We feel like he needs an extra three or four or five days of strengthening that arm in a contact situation. It looks much better for him next week."
The Buccaneers host unbeaten Indianapolis on Monday night.
Quarles has practiced for the last two weeks, but he has not participated in any contact drills.
Fullback Mike Alstott, who has been hampered by continuing neck soreness, is listed as probable, but likely will not be 100 percent.
