NFL

Bucs-Eagles game could be postponed after 3rd MRSA diagnosis

The Buccaneers season keeps getting worse. There’s been losing, quarterback controversies and now a MRSA breakout may force them to postpone Sunday’s game against the Eagles.

There is a chance the NFLPA will suggest the Eagles and Buccaneers postpone the game depending on the containment of the staph infection MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), ESPN.com is reporting.

The potentially deadly MRSA now has affected three different Buccaneers, offensive lineman Carl Nicks, kicker Lawrence Tynes and cornerback Johnthan Banks, whose diagnosis was confirmed Friday. The Bucs website reported Duke Infection Control Outreach Network co-director Dr. Deverick J. Anderson met with the team and staff. USA Today reported league and union officials were in Tampa Bay on Thursday to discuss the handling of MRSA and other infectious diseases.

In a statement, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said: “We have been involved in an ongoing review of the MRSA incidents in Tampa Bay initiated by the concerns we had about the manner in which team officials responded to these cases. … We will reach out to the Philadelphia Eagles player representatives today and provide them with our best medical guidance and regular updates from the outside experts.”

Fox Sports’ Mike Garofolo reported the chances of postponement are “very slim.”

The NFL Network’s Albert Breer tweeted: “As it stands now, the NFL is working with the Bucs and union on MRSA, but is not planning anything that would affect the Bucs-Eagles game.”