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CNNSI.com GROUP
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'Not playing is not an option' Bucs All Pro LB Brooks to play against Eagles
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Warren Sapp has been around Derrick Brooks long enough to know it might take more than a shoulder sprain to keep Tampa Bay's All Pro linebacker off the field in Sunday's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. "You've got to know the nature of the beast," said Sapp, the 1999 NFL defensive player of the year. "I'm going to have to shoot Brooks for him not to play. That's how it goes. "It's money time now. You work all year long to get to this point. There's 19 teams begging, crying, pleading and whatever else they can do to get a recount to get in these playoffs. But it's locked right now. We're one of those 12 ballclubs and we've got to relish that opportunity." Brooks, playing in pain for weeks, left the field during the second quarter Sunday in the Bucs' 17-14 overtime loss to Green Bay when he aggravated the problem with his right shoulder. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage, Brooks practiced Wednesday and is listed as probable to play against the Eagles. The four-time Pro Bowl selection has never missed a game six seasons and doesn't expect his streak of 100 consecutive appearances to end this week. "It will be tough to keep me out," he said. "Not playing is not an option." The biggest question is how long Brooks will be able to stay on the field if he does play. "It's kind of an on-and-off thing that comes up. You really don't pay it no mind and keep playing," Brooks said. "On Sunday, I made a tackle, and I got up and couldn't move it. It started coming back near the end of the game." Brooks led the Bucs in tackles for the third consecutive season (179) and also forced a team-high five fumbles and returned his only interception for a touchdown. If he can't play or is limited this week, it will test the depth of a banged up group of linebackers. Jeff Gooch, who usually backs up Brooks, is listed as questionable after being added to the injury report Wednesday with an abdominal strain. Another backup, Al Singleton, expects to return after missing three games with a knee sprain, and starting middle linebacker Jamie Duncan is nursing a sprained right knee. "It's that time of the year when injuries start to kick in and take their toll," Duncan said. "Everybody's banged up a little bit or got little nicks ... but I expect to play. I mean, this is the playoffs." Quarterback Shaun King was limited in practice by a groin strain the team said will not prevent him from practicing Thursday or playing Sunday. Defensive end Marcus Jones, second on the team with a career-high 13 sacks, sat out Wednesday and is listed as probable.
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