TAMPA - The Bucs are concerned about Mike Alstott's neck injury.
The Pro Bowl fullback was downgraded to questionable for Monday night's game against the Colts and it seems unlikely he will play after a battery of tests Friday and Saturday.
Team officials said more evaluations by specialists may be needed to determine whether Alstott's injury will improve or require surgery.
"I'm not going to sit here and tell you there's no fear," coach Jon Gruden said. "That's why we downgraded him to questionable and we're bringing in all these testers. At the same time, I'm not going to say anything I can't back up. He's questionable, he has a sore neck, we're giving him some tests and we're hoping that the tests reveal as to why this man has a sore neck.
"Whether it's an injury that will allow him to play Monday night or not, I don't know. But I'm not going to raise the red flag and tell you anything I can't back up."
Alstott's injury has limited his range of neck movement, preventing him from practicing for nearly two weeks. The condition might have been aggravated Sept. 14 during a play against Carolina in which receiver Joe Jurevicius was injured. Alstott played Sept. 21 against the Falcons.
Alstott declined comment Saturday.
"Obviously, when the pain doesn't subside, you got to look carefully into any injury that doesn't heal," Gruden said.
