After posting one of its finest game of the season in last Sunday's 23-16 win over the Detroit Lions, the Bucs' backfield of RB Warrick Dunn and FB Mike Alstott was absent from practice today. Dunn sat out with a left ankle sprain that has hampered him for weeks but did not stop him from hauling in a career-high 115 yards on six catches against the Lions. Alstott was held out with a neck strain for precautionary reasons. He chipped in with two fourth-quarter touchwns against the Lions, including a 22-yard reception for the game-winning score.
Regardless of the condition of Dunn and Alstott, the Bucs control their own destiny on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. With a win, Tampa Bay would clinch a playoff spot for the second time in three years and would also post double digits in wins for just the third time in franchise history.
"There is always something that's driving us because there's a lot of football left to play," Dungy said. "If we win, we clinch a playoff spot, but we know going out to Oakland is going to be tough. The Raiders have beaten a lot of good clubs and it will be a good test for us up there."
BUCCANEERS INJURY UPDATE
In addition to Dunn and Alstott, two other starters, DE Steve White (right turf toe) and G Kevin Dogins, (left knee/ankle sprain) missed practice today. QB Trent Dilfer is out with a right clavicle fracture. G Ken Blackman (left knee sprain) is listed as doubtful and LB Don Davis (right hamstring strain) is questionable.
WR Jacquez Green (left foot strain), S John Lynch (left knee sprain) and S Dexter Jackson (right knee sprain) are probable for Sunday's game.
