TAMPA - The Bucs found out Friday that defensive tackle Ellis Wyms, who sustained a shoulder injury in Monday night's game against the Rams, has a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be out for the season.
The news came on the same day the team decided receiver Charles Lee would miss Sunday's game against the Bears with a right knee sprain.
During surgery in Miami, doctors discovered Wyms' torn labrum and had to reattach it.
"It's a big setback, but I think hopefully he'll come back next year and be a lot stronger and get a chance to play a lot more," said agent Brian Levy, who was with Wyms in Miami for the surgery. "He's tired and depressed, but at the same time he's one of those guys who believes that this is a way to get healthy and get ready for next year."
Wyms agreed in February to a six-year, $20-million contract, which included a $1.5-million signing bonus. The fourth-year player out of Mississippi State was off to a solid start at under tackle. He split time with Chartric Darby and had 19 tackles in six games.
"The prognosis is excellent," Levy said of Wyms' recovery. "He's looking at a couple of months."
The absence of Wyms and defensive tackle Damian Gregory, who also had surgery in Miami for a torn patellar tendon and was placed on injured reserve early this week, means defensive ends Corey Smith, Dewayne White and Josh Savage will see time at tackle.
"It's going to be a challenge when you lose two defensive tackles," coach Jon Gruden said.
Although the Bucs welcome receiver Joe Jurevicius, the loss of Lee is yet another obstacle the receiving corps must overcome.
"It's hard," Gruden said. "We started with ( Joey) Galloway, we went to ( Bill) Schroeder, we went to Lee and now we hope Joe Jurevicius is ready to take over. Charles did some good things, but unfortunately he's had injuries at the front end of training camp and now with the knee."
Lee's absence places increased scrutiny on the return of Jurevicius, who hasn't played since last season. Jurevicius is expected to start opposite rookie Michael Clayton.
"He's been cleared to play, he's practiced well, we've had great conversations and we'll use Bill Schroeder in a capacity to help him out, if he needs help," Gruden said. "I think we're all ready to see Joe play. This is his time."
With Jurevicius activated Sunday, the Bucs likely will place Wyms on injured reserve.
The Bucs also will be without the services of fullback Greg Comella. Gruden said it is likely that linebacker Shelton Quarles, who missed last week with a quad injury, will be back in the lineup against the Bears.
GREAT GOOCH: Veteran linebacker Jeff Gooch will return to the bench Sunday if Quarles is ready to play, but in the past two games the Bucs got a good taste of what he can do.
"Once you break it down and think about it, that's how I was taught back in the day with (former coach) Tony ( Dungy) and (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin," Gooch said. "If you're a backup, you're one play away."
Taking over for Quarles early in the game against the Saints, Gooch led the team with 13 tackles. Then against the Rams, his first start of the season, he added a career-high 18 tackles.
