TAMPA - Pro Bowl safety John Lynch will be evaluated this week after a recurring right shoulder stinger in the first half of Sunday's 14-7 victory against the Saints.
The injury stems from nerve damage in the shoulder.
"I always get concerned when a player has repeated injuries," coach Jon Gruden said. "I think we're all concerned for John Lynch because of what he means to our team."
Lynch felt numbness in his hand and arm during several early games and left the Oct. 19 game against the 49ers. He sat out the next two.
Lynch has played the past five games but left late in the first quarter Sunday after tackling Lamar Smith. Lynch did not play the rest of the half and was replaced by David Gibson. Gibson, however, sprained an ankle at the end of the half and Lynch returned for the second.
"I feel fine," Lynch said after the game.
Lynch is probable for Sunday's game against the Texans, and Gruden said he will rely on the medical staff to determine whether he is cleared to play.
"If the player is released to play, especially a player of this caliber, then we're going to play him," Gruden said. "We'll know a little bit more about his status here in the next couple of days."
ON THE ATTACK: Receiver Keenan McCardell said the Bucs were more relaxed Sunday, which enabled them to play better. He had almost forgotten how much fun football can be.
"You forget to have fun because you're worried about making mistakes when you're in a slump," McCardell said. "Sunday, we went out and threw caution to the wind. We said, "Let's run around and hit somebody. If we hit somebody and it's wrong, so what?' Nine times out of 10, if you hit somebody and be the aggressor, you'll win the game."
COLD, HARD TRUTH: He hates to admit it, but Gruden does not like the team's chances of reaching the playoffs. The Bucs (6-7) are two games behind in the NFC wild-card race with three to play.
"I try to look at the world realistically, and there's some real exciting things happening here," Gruden said. "We're learning something about our football team, about some of our young players. ... But the playoff picture doesn't look real good."
LYNCH A FINALIST: Lynch is among 32 finalists for the 2003 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing community service as well as playing excellence. The winner will be announced Jan. 30 before Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston.
The award, given annually since 1970, was renamed in 1999 for the Hall of Fame running back. All finalists receive $1,000 to give to charity, with the winner, selected by a panel of judges, to receive $25,000 to donate to his selected charity.
RICE APPEARANCE: Defensive end Simeon Rice will sign copies of America's Athletes from 8-9 p.m. Wednesday at Borders at 909 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. The book features photographs of 52 sports stars with patriotic perspectives written by each. Creator and photographer Sandra Tenuto also will sign. Proceeds will be divided among 52 charities.
INJURY REPORT: Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who had an MRI exam on his strained left foot, is questionable. Tight end Ken Dilger (hip), fullback Darian Barnes (ankle), Gibson (ankle) and Rice (elbow) are probable.
