Mike Alstott to miss the NFL season

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Veteran Tampa Bay running back Mike Alstott is lost for the 2007 season because of his second major neck injury.

The Buccaneers' top all-time touchdown scorer and second leading rusher missed three straight team workouts before his latest injury was revealed at a Thursday news conference.

Alstott, who has been placed on the season-ending injured reserve list, also was sidelined four games by the same injury in 2003.

"As a professional football player, you just can't grasp the situation of not being able to put the helmet and jersey on," he said. "I was ready to play football this year, but my future will be determined at a later date."

In his 11-year career, the former Purdue product has 71 touchdowns, 5,088 yards on the ground, and 2,284 yards on 305 pass receptions.

The Buccaneers have a record of 44-14 in games in which Alstott scored at least one touchdown.