by Adam Gretz
After dropping two consecutive NFC South games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of some good news. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen at the moment, as head coach Jon Grudenannounced on Monday that safety Jermaine Phillips will be lost for the season with a broken forearm.
Even worse, linebacker Derrick Brooks, who is the NFL's very own iron man, suffered a rib injury in the loss that is "very concerning" to Gruden. Not exactly what the doctor ordered for a team that's still desperately fighting for one of the final playoff spots in the NFC.
Two weeks ago Tampa Bay was sitting with a 9-3 record, on top of the NFC South. Now, the Buccaneers find themselves in a three-way battle with Dallas and Atlanta for the two NFC wild card spots, and they're losing players almost as fast as they're losing games.
With running back Earnest Graham already out of the lineup, the Buccaneers had to rely on backup quarterback Brian Griese in Sunday's loss to Atlanta thanks to a calf injury to starter Jeff Garcia. Now comes the news of Phillips and Brooks, and, well, that's not good news for Tampa Bay.
What is good news for Tampa Bay, however, is the fact it closes out the season with home games against San Diego and Oakland.
Injuries Continue to Mount for Tampa Bay, Jermaine Phillips Done for Year originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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