In 2011, Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans were the New Orleans Saints’ two starting guards, and also the two starting guards for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. This Sunday, Nicks and Evans will be on opposing NFL sidelines for the first time and, in what constitutes good news for both teams, it’s nearly certain both will play despite matching foot ailments.
Nicks was on the Buccaneers’ injury report this week due to a foot injury, while Evans was on the Saints’ list with a toe issue. Both players started the week as limited practice participants but were full-go on Friday and are now listed as “probable” on the final injury report of the week.
In fact, almost all of the combined 11 players on the Bucs’ and Saints’ injury reports were marked as probable on Friday. The two exceptions were both Saints – linebacker David Hawthorne (hamstring) has already been ruled out and tight end Jimmy Graham (ankle) has been designated as questionable. Given the two weeks that Graham has had to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against San Diego before the Saints’ bye week, most outside analysts believe he will play on Sunday.
Other than Nicks, the only other player on Tampa Bay’s injury report is wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Here are the official injury reports for both teams on Friday:
Buccaneers
| Player | Injury | Practice Status | Game Status |
| WR Vincent Jackson | Calf | Limited Participation | Probable |
| G Carl Nicks | Foot | Full Participation | Probable |
Saints
| Player | Injury | Practice Status | Game Status |
| RB Travaris Cadet | Shoulder | Full Participation | Probable |
| LB Jonathan Casillas | Neck | Full Participation | Probable |
| G Jahri Evans | Toe | Full Participation | Probable |
| TE Jimmy Graham | Ankle | Limited Participation | Questionable |
| CB Jabari Greer | Groin | Full Participation | Probable |
| LB David Hawthorne | Hamstring | Did Not Participate | Out |
| DE Turk McBride | Ankle | Full Participation | Probable |
| WR Lance Moore | Hamstring | Full Participation | Probable |
| LB Scott Shanle | Illness | Full Participation | Probable |
For those needing a refresher on NFL injury report language, the four possible game status choices refer to the percentage of the chance that the indicated player will be able to participate in the game, at least nominally. In practice, there are varying shades of gray between the choices, with “questionable” being the only designation with much uncertainly about what will happen. NFL injury reports include the following definitions:
Out = definitely will not play
Doubtful = at least 75% chance will not play
Questionable = 50-50 chance will not play
Probable = virtual certainty will be available for normal duty