TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Darrelle Revis and Davin Joseph took steps forward Monday on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' injury front. Carl Nicks took a step back on his troublesome left foot.

Nicks, the starting guard who missed the second half of last season with a lingering injury on his left big toe, has developed a blister on the same foot. It is infected, and Nicks could not practice Monday.

It's not something you mess around with, but it's not your common injury, either,'' coach Greg Schiano said.The next question is how long will it be? I don't know that. We've got to let the medicine run its course and see if we can get that thing straightened out.''

Revis, the $96 million cornerback acquired from the New York Jets and coming off October knee surgery, began practicing with the Bucs' first defensive unit.

It was a huge day for me, just getting my run fix, getting the calls, up-tempo type of stuff,'' Revis said.I was in there doing it so it was a huge day, just moving around and not having any problems. No soreness at the end of practice, no swelling. It's a huge step for me.''

The 28-year-old Revis played only in the first two games last season for the Jets. He had surgery on his left knee on Oct. 16 and was traded to the Bucs in April. So far he has worked mostly on his own and in one-on-one drills. But Revis expects to open the regular season - at the Jets - and his participation in the remaining preseason games has not been ruled out.

I feel comfortable in my knee and that's how I've got to approach it, just go out there and get my reps, if I do play (Saturday night) against Miami,'' he said.I think with this whole situation, you don't want a setback. You've just got to approach it the right way, and that's what we're trying to do. You've got 16 games and I want to be out there all 16, and even in the postseason, and I think that's how best to approach it.''

While maintaining he will evaluate the situation daily, Schiano made Revis' preseason debut on Saturday night seem unlikely.

I don't think he would want to play right now. He hasn't done enough,'' Schiano said.That's why these 11 practices are crucial. Every step of the way, we've locked in the plan, evaluated and locked it down again. He's right where we need him to be. . . . The goal is to up it, little by little, only with positive feedback. I've said 1,000 times, this is a long-term relationship.''

Revis is confident of being on the field for the game against the Jets on Sept. 8, even if he does not play in either of the remaining preseason games.

I'm a confident player, I'm an aggressive player,'' he said.Once you're out there, bullets are flying out there and you've just got to do your job. Most of us in this locker room, we play hurt all the time. Somebody might be 80 percent one week, somebody might be 95 percent. That's just how you play; you play with toughness and you do your job.

It's day to day, but I'm confident,'' he said.It's still weeks away and we've still got time for my knee to get better and better, so I think that's just how we've got to approach it.''

Joseph, who missed the entire 2012 season after having surgery on his right knee and did not travel with the team to New England last week, participated in most of Monday's practice.

Schiano called it ``a big step up for him'' and said the two-time Pro Bowl guard might play at Miami.

NOTES: Running back Doug Martin, who left Friday night's 25-21 loss to New England in the first quarter after getting kicked in the head, said a concussion promptly was ruled out. Martin expects to play in Miami. . . . Cornerback Danny Gorrer remains unable to practice due to a groin injury. . . . Schiano acknowledged the Bucs might face a difficult roster decision at running back, where rookie Mike James and veterans Brian Leonard and Peyton Hillis are all playing well.

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org