Buccaneers G Carl Nicks lost for season with toe injury

With Nicks on the shelf, the Bucs might have to look outside the organization for depth. (US Presswire)

Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks, signed this offseason to a five-year, $47.5-million contract, is headed for injured reserve with a toe injury, according to the team. The former Nebraska star was originally taken by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft and started 61 of 64 games during his four years with New Orleans.

He left this spring for Tampa Bay, where he started all seven games. The specific condition, a torn plantar plate, also ended the 2012 season for Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee.

The loss of Nicks is the latest bad news for an offensive line that was supposed to be one of the team's strengths. The Bucs lost their other Pro Bowl guard, Davin Joseph, in August to a knee injury. With the trade deadline extended to Thursday, Tampa Bay could look outside the organization for depth.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to the Pick-6 Podcast on iTunes. You can follow Ryan Wilson on Twitter here: @ryanwilson_07.