Cato misses another day

Strong-side linebacker Cato June missed practice for the second straight day as it is becoming more realistic to think he may miss Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Giants.

June -- who according to coach Jon Gruden, suffered a foot injury in Sunday's regular-season finale against Carolina -- hasn't commented about the injury or spoken to the media since it occurred. Gruden declined to get specific about it when I asked him a little while ago.

But the Bucs are already thinking about Plan B.

"It's a concern," Gruden said. "This is a big game and he's inactive again today. So, we'll see how he is tomorrow. . . We lead the league in contingency planning. There is no resting of players this week."

It's not clear who would step in for June should he miss the game, but veteran Ryan Nece is a realistic option. Though he has since moved over to middle linebacker where he is Barrett Ruud's backup, Nece was previously the starter on the strong-side before June's arrival in the offseason.

If June misses the game, it's a big blow to the Bucs given his pass-coverage ability. With Thursday being the last real day of practice, his absence today is very disconcerting.

Comments

[Rich]

We are cooked if forced to play Nece

[quincy black]

it's a chance for quincy black to shine.

[MIKE]

Guys, he will play. Its a playoff game and June is a gamer. If its that bad where he cant go, then its time for Quincy Black to step in and do for us what he did for New Mexico. I will turn the game off if I see Ryan Nece in the starting lineup because he gives up big play after big play.