The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost two more starters to injury. Pewter Report has learned from sources with the Bucs that cornerback Aqib Talib will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury and has been placed on injured reserve. The Buccaneers also placed center Jeff Faine, who suffered a triceps injury against the Falcons, on injured reserve as well.

Faine suffered a triceps injury in the first game of the 2009 season. That caused him to miss four games last year. This season Faine missed four games with a quadriceps injury. 

With Faine likely headed for injured reserve the Buccaneers will plug Jeremy Zuttah in at center. The third-year pro Zuttah played the four games at center that Faine was out. Replacing Zuttah at right guard will be either Derek Hardman, Brandon Carter, or right tackle James Lee. If Lee is moved inside to guard than veteran Jeremy Trueblood would go back in at right tackle.

Tampa Bay’s offensive line has been dealing with multiple injuries all season long. Last week veteran guard Davin Joseph broke a foot and was placed on injured reserve. Left guard Keydrick Vincent missed two games to a back injury and was released when he was healthy. Rookie Ted Larsen took over the starting duties at left guard and held on to them after Vincent was cleared to play following a back injury. Trueblood missed a few games with an MCL sprain and never received his starting job back due to the play of Lee. With Faine likely out for the year Tampa Bay will have their seventh starting combination along the offensive line. 



Talib will be replaced in the starting lineup by cornerback E.J. Biggers. The second-year pro Biggers replaced Talib after he injured his hip in the second quarter against Atlanta. With Biggers going into the starting lineup the Bucs will look to rookie Myron Lewis and veteran Elbert Mack to be the nickel cornerback. Talib was tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions prior to Sunday’s game.