After four games, injuries start piling up

By JOANNE KORTH and SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published October 6, 2005

TAMPA - The focus has been on Cadillac Williams' strained left foot, but that is not the only painful injury to a talented young member of the Bucs offense.

Receiver Michael Clayton has a second-degree dislocation of his left shoulder, an injury that requires pain medication on game day and treatment during the week.

Both players were limited in practice Wednesday.

Williams is listed as questionable and coach Jon Gruden said he would need to see "significant improvement" for Williams to play Sunday at the Jets. Clayton, who was to get X-rays after practice, is probable.

Also, safety Jermaine Phillips is questionable with a thumb injury sustained Sunday against the Lions, and guard Matt Stinchcomb was put on injured reserve with a lower back injury.

Williams had 13 yards on 11 carries against the Lions and did not play after feeling a twinge in his left hamstring during the third quarter. The foot was injured Sept. 18, but Williams ran for 158 yards on 37 carries the next week at Green Bay. He admitted sitting out might be best if he hopes to finish his rookie season.

"In a way, yeah, but it is football," Williams said. "The one thing I have to understand is it is a long season. In college, you're halfway through the season right now. So, that might be a good idea, but we're still evaluating things with the trainers."

Clayton, who is tied with Joey Galloway for the team lead in receptions at 17, hurt his shoulder during the preseason and aggravated it against the Packers and Lions.

"When you're highly medicated you don't really feel the pain on Sunday, but after the game is a different story," Clayton said. "So, you just have to know how to handle it accordingly. I'm in the training room getting rehab every morning, trying to get better."

Clayton, who played most of his rookie season with a painful knee injury, said he does not worry about the risk of further injuring the shoulder by playing.

"I've been playing with it for a while, so we'll see what happens," he said. "I'm not really thinking about that. And I'm definitely not trying to baby it on Sunday. Anything I have to do is going to get done, whether I'm injured or not."

ONE BUC BURGLARY: Nine game-day helmets, each worth $225, were stolen from the locker room at One Buc Place, according to police.

One or more suspects broke through a small window between 9:30 p.m. Sunday, when staff members locked up after the team's victory against Detroit, and Monday morning when the theft was discovered. The thief, or thieves, tried to break into the equipment room but could not get in, Tampa police Sgt. James Contento said.

Detectives will "check everything from eBay to sports memorabilia shops" to find the helmets, Contento said.

Bucs officials are not disclosing which players' helmets were stolen.

Most players were unaware of the break-in Monday, even several hours after reporting to the facility.

"Hopefully, my helmet's still in my locker," cornerback Brian Kelly said.

SAFETY SWAP: Safety Dexter Jackson, who was inactive against the Lions with a hamstring injury, returned to practice and is probable against the Jets. If Phillips cannot play, Will Allen, who started Sunday at free safety in place of Jackson, likely will start at strong safety in place of Phillips.

Phillips missed seven games last season with a broken arm.

TRANSACTIONS: The team promoted center Scott Jackson from the practice squad to fill the spot vacated by Stinchcomb on the 53-man roster. Also, tackle Stefan Rodgers was signed to the practice squad.

INJURY REPORT: In addition to Williams, Phillips, Clayton and Jackson, tackle Anthony Davis (shoulder) and defensive lineman Ellis Wyms (illness) are probable. Davis, who did not return after being injured on the final play of the first half Sunday, had an MRI on Monday that was negative.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:14:18]