Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Bryant is questionable for Green Bay Packers game because of left knee issue

TAMPA — Bucs WR Antonio Bryant is questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers because of a setback with the left knee injury that has lingered since preseason arthroscopic surgery.

Bryant believes the nine-hour flight home from the game in London two weeks ago against the Patriots caused extensive swelling. The swelling has subsided, but he did not feel well enough to practice Thursday or Friday.

The Bucs had a bye week last week.

"That plane ride, that didn't help me," Bryant said. "I was good for, like, two weeks. My knee looked the same, and I probably ran the best I had ran all season. Then, next thing I know, I get on that plane coming back, I get up to use the bathroom, and it's like, 'Oh!' "

Not moving the knee much during the flight allowed it to stiffen and swell.

"The swelling up shut down the quad (muscle), too," Bryant said. "It doesn't help, especially for my position with all the running and cutting."

Bryant must decide whether it's prudent to push himself through a game at less than full health given the string of setbacks he already has had with the knee.

"It doesn't do me any good to go out there and be good for a couple of games and then be right back in the same situation," he said. "I just have to sit on it."

Bryant believes he has a chance to play against the Packers, when Bucs rookie QB Josh Freeman makes his debut. But he said he probably won't know until he's evaluated before kickoff.

"It's all about going to the stadium," Bryant said. "Coach (Raheem Morris) will let me know. If he lets the dogs out, then I'm going. If not, then, hey, it's all about longevity."

As for his decision not to practice during the last two workouts, he made reference to his lack of a long-term contract, joking that "I'm not Michael Clayton." Bryant is on a one-year, franchise-player tender that pays him $9.88 million guaranteed but offers no assurances beyond this season. Clayton received a five-year deal in the offseason.

Morris said there's been no talk of additional surgery for Bryant after consultations with doctors.

MORE INJURIES: CB Elbert Mack (ankle) was sidelined Friday and is questionable. He was injured in Thursday's practice. Clayton (wrist) is questionable but is expected to play. He hasn't missed a practice this week.