After leaving Wednesday's workout early when he aggravated a right hamstring strain, Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp returned to practice today. Buccaneers Head Coach Tony Dungy said Sapp would be in the starting lineup Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
"He's going to be fine," Dungy said after Thursday's practice. "He practiced; he made it through the whole day and did fine. We don't anticipate any problems."
THREE BUCS OUT FOR SUNDAY'S NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
The Buccaneers announced today that WR Reidel Anthony (left quadriceps strain) and QB Trent Dilfer (right clavicle fracture) will miss the NFC Championship Game Sunday at St. Louis. Anthony, who has missed the Bucs' last two games, was downgraded from questionable prior to today's practice. Dilfer, who has only practiced once since fracturing his right clavicle against the Seattle Seahawks on November 28, entered the week listed as doubtful on the Bucs' injury report.
Anthony and Dilfer joined LB Al Singleton, who was ruled out of Sunday's contest after suffering a left leg fracture in last week's divisional playoff victory over the Washington Redskins.
DT James Cannida (left hamstring strain) was added to the Bucs' injury list and is questionable for Sunday's game.
CB Donnie Abraham (right knee sprain), DT Brad Culpepper (right foot sprain), S John Lynch (left quadriceps contusion), RB Warrick Dunn (left ankle sprain), DE John McLaughlin (left foot strain), CB Ronde Barber (left knee laceration) and S Damien Robinson (left hip strain) are all listed as probable for Sunday's game.
BROOKS NAMED MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
LB Derrick Brooks was named the Buccaneers Most Valuable Player by the St. Petersburg Times for the second consecutive year. The award is determined by a vote of local writers who regularly cover the club. Brooks, who was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, led the Bucs with 180 tackles and posted career-highs in interceptions (4), passes defensed (18), forced fumbles (2) and sacks (2).
