There's concern in Tampa Bay that a neck injury suffered by Buccaneers linebacker Quincy Black could end his season.
Black was hurt in Sunday's 34-24 win over the San Diego Chargers. He was taken to a local hospital and released Sunday night, but coach Greg Schiano said Monday that Black's condition is being monitored and that he hopes it's not career-threatening.
"Overall he's going to be OK," Schiano told reporters. "Now it's a serious injury. He's having some complications with his left arm, so there's still further tests we have to go through -- he has to go through -- before we make a definitive statement. But it's serious and how much time that means, we're going to have to see. Obviously, it's not good."
Schiano quickly ruled out Black for this week's game against the Carolina Panthers and called it a long-term situation. The Bucs aren't rushing the timetable.
This is a young team that's played through some pretty significant injuries along the offensive line. Now they'll be asked to do the same on defense, where Black has played in all nine games. If he's done for the year, a combination of linebackers Dekoda Watson and Adam Hayward will be asked to step in.
The depth chart is secondary right now for the Buccaneers. Black's long-term health comes first.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
