Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) is active for Week 3 against the Patriots.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) is expected to play Sunday against the Patriots.

It's good timing for his return because fill-in left guard Gabe Carimi will be sidelined with an illness. Nicks hasn't played in a game since Week 8 of last season. His return will be a boost for Doug Martin and the running game.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) will not play in Sunday's game against the Saints.

Coming off an ugly staph infection, Nicks got back in practice this week and earned a "questionable" tag. But he's not quite ready to play in a game, leaving Gabe Carimi to start at left guard once again. Carimi graded out as one of the worst run-blockers in the league Week 1.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Nicks is "getting closer" to returning, but it's still not clear if he'll be available for Week 2. Gabe Carimi replaced Nicks on Sunday and could draw another start in his absence.

The Bucs are "not yet sure" if LG Carl Nicks (toe) will play in Week 2.

Coach Greg Schiano says Nicks is "getting closer" to returning from the staph infection in his toe, but his status remains week to week. The Bucs face the Saints in Week 2. Fill-in LG Gabe Carimi predictably struggled in place of Nicks, receiving an extremely low Pro Football Focus grade in Week 1 run blocking.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's opener against the Jets.

Nicks is still working his way back from a staph infection and was considered a "long shot" to be available. The Bucs will go with Gabe Carimi at left guard in Week 1. TE Tom Crabtree and FB Erik Lorig have also been officially ruled out.

ESPN NFC South blogger Pay Yasinskas confirms Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe) is a "long shot" to play in Week 1.

This was expected. Continuing to battle a staph infection, Nicks' return timetable is wholly uncertain. The Bucs will either use Gabe Carimi at left guard in the meantime, or they'll move C Jeremy Zuttah to guard and start Ted Larsen at center. Tampa Bay squares off with the Jets in Sunday's opener.

The Bucs have yet to rule LG Carl Nicks (staph infection) out for Week 1.

"I think there's too much time still before we can (rule Nicks out)," coach Greg Schiano said. ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested last week that Nicks could miss "about a month" of action. Right now, he's a coin flip for the opener.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports Bucs LG Carl Nicks and K Lawrence Tynes are dealing with staph infections.

Staph infections -- or MRSA -- can be very serious. It was originally reported that Nicks was dealing with a "toe infection," but the level of concern has been heightened. Both Nicks and Tynes are reportedly "responding well" to treatment, but the entire Bucs facility had to be sanitized last week and will be again this weekend when the team is in Miami for its preseason game. The Browns and Redskins have dealt with MRSA outbreaks in recent years.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on NFL Insiders Monday that Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe infection) "could miss about a month, based on what I'm being told."

Nicks is dealing with an "infected blister" on the same toe that he injured midyear last season, costing Nicks the final nine games. The Bucs need to take their time in order to avoid future setbacks, so Nicks is looking highly doubtful for week one. If he misses a month from now, Nicks could still be back early in the season. Look for Ted Larsen to stand in at left guard.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks has developed an "infected blister" on his troublesome toe, and is out indefinitely.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks says the toe injury he suffered in 2012 will affect him the rest of his life.

The Bucs can manage the toe by giving Nicks rest days during the week, instead of forcing him to practice. "I will have to deal with it my whole life," he said. "Honestly, it is not 100 percent, yet. I plan on playing some this next preseason game and obviously, the third one. We'll see how it goes." Nicks will remain an asset to the Bucs' offense as long as he's on the field.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks (toe surgery) has been limited early in training camp, but he plans to be ready for the season opener.

"I'll be ready. I'll definitely be ready," Nicks said. "I don't know if I'll play in any preseason games, but I'll be ready." One of the best run-blocking guards in the game, Nicks missed the final nine games last season.

Bucs LG Carl Nicks has not had any setbacks as he recovers from his season-ending toe injury.

Nicks, a 2011 first-team All-Pro, missed the final nine games of the season. During that time, Doug Martin still rushed 190 times for 911 yards (4.79 YPC) and scored eight touchdowns. With the dominant Nicks back in the mix next season, Martin should find even more holes to run through.

Bucs placed LG Carl Nicks (toe) on injured reserve, ending his season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints have agreed to terms with OG Carl Nicks on a five-year, $47.5 million contract.

Free agent LG Carl Nicks reportedly arrived in Tampa Bay for a visit late Tuesday evening.

First visits are often everything in free agency, and it appears the Bucs beat Philadelphia to the punch for the market's top guard. It's possible Nicks won't leave Tampa.

According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, the Bucs and Eagles are vying for the first visit from free agent OG Carl Nicks.

The Bucs are aggressively pursuing Nicks, Vincent Jackson, and MLB Curtis Lofton. If they manage to land the mauler Nicks, they will enter the 2012 season with one of the premier offensive lines in the league. Two Eagles beat writers dispute the report that the Eagles are interested.

The Dallas Morning News believes the Cowboys are no longer among the favorites for free agents OG Carl Nicks and DE Mario Williams.

The Cowboys have been connected to Nicks since the end of the season, but they took a big hit under the league's salary cap punishment. Their No. 1 free-agent priority has shifted to cornerback, specifically Cortland Finnegan or Brandon Carr.

Free agent OG Carl Nicks finally received a contract offer from the Saints on Monday, deeming it "respectable."

Nicks believes the Saints didn't make an offer before Monday because they understood they couldn't meet his demands and didn't want to insult him with a low-ball offer. Eager to become the highest-paid guard in the NFL, Nicks will sleep on the Saints' offer before the start of free agency on Tuesday.