TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without strong safety Jermaine Phillips four to six weeks.
Phillips suffered a fractured right forearm in Sunday's 17-14 loss to New Orleans. He was getting extended playing time because John Lynch, the normal starter at that position, is trying to recover from a shoulder injury.
The defense of the defending Super Bowl champions can ill afford another injury.
In the secondary, in addition to Lynch and Phillips, the Bucs already have lost cornerback Brian Kelly for the season because of a torn pectoral muscle, and backups Hank Poteat and John Howell did not play against the Saints because of hamstring ailments.
At linebacker, Ryan Nece sustained a sprained ankle and was on crutches after the game. His counterpart, Shelton Quarles, is just back from a broken left forearm.
The Buccaneers play at Carolina next Sunday. They lost an earlier game against the Panthers, 12-9, at home in overtime.
