TAMPA — The back injury that has sidelined DT Akeem Spence at the start of training camp required surgery last month and is serious enough that it will keep him from playing at the start of the season.
"I'm probably a couple more months away," Spence said after watching practice Sunday, six weeks before the season starts on Sept. 13 against the Titans.
Spence said he was lifting weights and it "caused something in my back to slip," requiring surgery July 2. His timetable for recovery makes him a candidate for the physically unable to perform list, which would keep him from taking up a spot on the 53-man roster but wouldn't allow him to play until after the first six games of the season.
Spence said the surgery fixed a problem in his lower back that was "pressing on the nerves in my leg, causing pain." Asked if the injury was significant enough to keep him from playing at all this season, Spence said he hoped it wouldn't.
"I'll probably shoot for October or something like that," he said. "I'm not sure. … I'm four weeks into rehab. I'm feeling well, walking around."
The severity of Spence's injury explains why the Bucs last week signed DL Da'Quan Bowers, who had gone unsigned through four months of free agency. Coach Lovie Smith said Sunday the Bucs are locking Bowers into the interior of the line rather than moving him outside, too.
GLENNON RESPONDS: QB Mike Glennon couldn't find the best word to describe his emotions when he learned that he wouldn't get a chance to battle rookie Jameis Winston for the starting job.
"I don't know what the word would be," Glennon said. "I just want to be out there. I'm a competitor. I want to be able to go out there and help my team win on Sundays."
For the third consecutive season, that means he'll be preparing as a backup and trying to contribute to meetings during the week.
The Bucs anointed Winston as the starter Friday, which Glennon knew was a possibility when they drafted the former Florida State star with the No. 1 overall pick.
"I'm not going to change my mentality," Glennon said. "I'm still going to come out here and compete every day, improve as much as I can as a player and help this team in any way I can."
RINGING ENDORSEMENT: With WR Louis Murphy out with an ankle injury, rookie Kenny Bell had a larger share of passes thrown his direction, and the fifth-round pick didn't disappoint, catching balls in traffic and beating defensive backs for tough catches.
"He showed up," Smith said. "We always talk about doing something to get noticed. We noticed Kenny (on Sunday)."
INJURY UPDATES: S Chris Conte was the only new addition to the injury list. He didn't practice after nicking a hamstring. Smith said the injury wasn't expected to be serious but would keep Conte out of practice for a bit. Injuries limited Conte to 12 games last season.
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Explore all your optionsMurphy said he should be "ready to go soon" after injuring himself during a non-football activity, which he declined to detail. Murphy said he hoped to start practicing next week.
THIS AND THAT: Rookie LT Donovan Smith worked with the first-team offensive line, bumping LT Kevin Pamphile to the second team. G Garrett Gilkey continued to practice with the starting unit at right guard, with rookie Ali Marpet on the second team. … Rookie receivers Kaelin Clay, Adam Humphries and Donteea Dye split reps at punt returner.