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Oniel Cousins might get another Bucs start

 
Oniel Cousins, left, who made his first career start at left tackle Sunday, played his best game with the Bucs, Lovie Smith says.
Oniel Cousins, left, who made his first career start at left tackle Sunday, played his best game with the Bucs, Lovie Smith says.
Published Nov. 6, 2014

TAMPA — Veteran OL Oniel Cousins made his first career start at left tackle for the Bucs in Sunday's loss at Cleveland, and with Anthony Collins (foot) held out of practice again Wednesday, Cousins could start again this weekend against the Falcons.

"I thought he did a great job for us," LG Logan Mankins said. "It wasn't perfect, and he knows that. No one's ever going to be perfect in a game. He did a good job, communication was good, played physical. I thought he pass-blocked pretty good."

Cousins had started nine games in his previous six NFL seasons, and he hadn't played a single offensive snap until Sunday. He had a false start and gave up a sack on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter, but his coaches were impressed enough to have confidence in him if Collins can't go again.

"Oniel Cousins played a pretty good football game, his best game he's played," said coach Lovie Smith, whose line allowed only two sacks after allowing five in each of the previous two games.

INJURY UPDATES: CB Alterraun Verner (hamstring) was among the players who didn't practice. Smith didn't elaborate on his status for Sunday's game.

RB Doug Martin (ankle), TE Luke Stocker and WR Vincent Jackson (knee) were also out. Jackson should be back practicing today, Smith said.

LB Brandon Magee (knee) was limited in his return, as were LB Lavonte David (knee), DE Michael Johnson (hand), RB Charles Sims (ankle) and DT Akeem Spence (hamstring).

BOWERS, LANE BACK: FB Jorvorskie Lane and DL Da'Quan Bowers have returned from two-game suspensions for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

"They gave me open arms as soon as I walked in. Made me feel way better," said Lane, who said he took an over-the-counter dietary supplement he didn't realize contained a banned substance.

Lane said he's down to 263 pounds, below the 270-pound maximum he was committed to but still above his 257-pound goal.

Bowers, a backup at defensive tackle and end, had not addressed his suspension until Wednesday. He said his problem stemmed from not being careful about what he put in his body.

"It's a blessing to be back," Bowers said. "I'm blessed to be able to come back to work, under the circumstances. I'm ready to get on the field and try to help my teammates get this thing turned around.

"It feels good to be back into football. You just have to be careful what you put in your body. You never know what's in these supplements … so you've got to be careful."

GOLDSON ESCAPES FINE: S Dashon Goldson said he wasn't penalized by the league for a possible helmet-to-helmet hit against Cleveland.

Goldson collided with WR Andrew Hawkins on a third-down play late in the first quarter and appeared to hit Hawkins in the helmet. Goldson said the league called the hit close but didn't fine him because he tried to put his shoulder down.

"I think (the league was) fair about it," said Goldson, who racked up almost $500,000 in fines last year. "They see that I'm trying. I escaped."

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TRANSACTIONS: Two days after waiving DT Matthew Masifilo, the Bucs added him back to the practice squad. CB Quinton Pointer also rejoined the practice squad after spending the offseason and preseason with the team. DE George Uko was cut from the practice squad.