Carl Nicks injury: Bucs guard tried to play through pain

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Carl Nicks had been playing through pain, but the team placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, as it was no longer safe to let the All-Pro guard continue to play.

"You talk about a tough, dedicated guy. This guy played through a ton of pain, and it just got to the point where he couldn't play anymore," head coach Greg Schiano said.

The plantar plate in Nicks' left foot is torn and requires surgery, which will keep him out for the rest of the 2012 season. He started all seven games for Tampa Bay this year.

Prior to joining the Bucs, Nicks spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he was a mainstay with the first string offensive line. Nicks has appeared in 71 games over the course of career, 68 of them as a starter.

Tampa Bay has a matchup with the Oakland Raiders in Week 9.