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Schiano: Wright's Achilles injury a "week-to-week" thing

 
Published Nov. 19, 2012

An Achilles injury Eric Wright suffered late last month continues to trouble the veteran cornerback.

Wright, 27, has found a way to start each of the last three games, but missed most of the San Diego game and once again had to leave Sunday's game against Carolina in the third quarter after aggravating the injury.

With it continuing to linger, it calls into question Wright's ability to continue playing through the injury. The sixth-year pro said after Sunday's game that, "we might have to make a decision."

Wright didn't elaborate, but expressed frustration. Signed to a five-year, $37.5 million free agent deal in the offseason, Wright was expected to be leaned on heavily as one of the team's more experienced corners, and that's even more true now with CB Aqib Talib getting traded to New England. That showed Sunday, when Wright followed Panthers WR Steve Smith on both sides of the field in the first half, as opposed to staying in his right cornerback spot.

Coach Greg Schiano said Wright's availability is a "week-to-week" thing.

"You've got to see," Schiano said. "I've asked him every week, 'Do you think you'll be able to go?' 'Yeah, I want to play.' And it's been unfortunate that (the Achilles) got hit directly on it a couple times (Sunday). But he's toughen through it."

Other than Wright, the news appears encouraging on the Bucs injury front. WR Tiquan Underwood, shaken up late in Sunday's game after taking a hit on their final drive, said he feels good, though Schiano acknowledged they'll continue to monitor him this week and go through the appropriate tests.

Schiano continued to rave about the "miraculous" recovery right guard Jamon Meredith made, having suffered an ankle injury in the middle of last week and somehow able to start Sunday. Schiano said T Donald Penn should be "okay" after temporarily leaving Sunday's game before returning.

"Certainly he didn't leave the game cause everything felt good - something happened," Schiano said. "But I do think he's going to be okay, he's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll work, get treated and be okay."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@tampabay.com