Sears leaves with ankle injury; status unclear

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published December 31, 2007

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TAMPA - Guard Arron Sears suffered an unspecified ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return.

No update was available on his condition, but his potential loss would be a major blow to an offensive line that has remained intact since Luke Petitgout's season-ending knee injury in September.

Sears, who was not available for comment, is expected to undergo further examination today.

STEVENS, AGAIN: Tight end Jerramy Stevens caught another touchdown, his fourth in four games.

This touchdown, much like a couple of the others, came in an isolation situation. In the first quarter, Stevens initially lined up next to the left tackle, then he went in motion and lined split out wide to the left. Luke McCown took a three-step drop and hit Stevens on a 3-yard slant for the score.

"It was set up to give them a look, to get me matched up one-on-one with a guy I feel I should beat," Stevens said.

Stevens, with four touchdown catches, trails only Joey Galloway six for the team lead.

BUCS BITS: Kicker Matt Bryant passed running back James Wilderfor fifth place on the Bucs' all-time scoring list with 285 points. ... The Bucs set a franchise mark for allowing the fewest interceptions in a season with eight. The previous low was 10 in 2002.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.