Bucs WR Bryant to have knee surgery

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay receiver Antonio Bryant learned Monday he will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and miss the team's pre-season games, the team said.

Bryant led the Bucs last season with 83 receptions for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns.

Tampa Bay says it is hoped Bryant, who will have surgery to clean out meniscus in the knee, will be ready by the season opener, Sept. 13 against Dallas.

"He probably can come back the last pre-season game, but I'm probably going to be mentally weak and not play him and just wait for Dallas," said Bucs Coach Raheem Morris. "I'm not sure yet, but let's get that thing fixed so he can be ready for Dallas."

The knee is the same one that bothered Bryant last season.

Bryant, who is entering his seventh season in the NFL, has played in 93 games, with 71 starts, and has 333 receptions for 5,085 yards and 26 touchdowns with the Bucs, Browns, 49ers and Cowboys.