Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik met with the media briefly before Wednesday’s practice to give the latest update on running back LeGarrette Blount.

“The only thing I wanted to do was update you all,” Dominik said. “LeGarrette Blount will not be out at practice today. That’s the main reason I’m down here today is to talk about that because it’s been a hot topic.

“I will say this; he obviously took a hit in the game and went down as we all saw. I can categorically confirm it has nothing to do with concussions whatsoever. So, there’s nothing there. So in order to make sure the information is correct and that we’re getting out the right information, there’s nothing concussion-related with LeGarrette Blount.

“However, we’re going to do our due diligence on our players to make sure player safety is number one – the most important thing. So, we obviously had the hit, he went down, our trainers, doctors went out, evaluated him, came back and cleared him to play. He did not play just because of circumstances, not because of injury or anything like that.”

Dominik told the media the Buccaneers take any injury to a player very seriously and said the organization will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health of the player.

“As it’s gone on, we always take time to make sure we monitor any player that’s ever gone down,” Dominik said. “(If) you go back and look at everything that has happened with the player and what we’re doing right now is making sure he sees all the correct people we think he needs to see. That includes that we’re doing an MRI on his neck and his back. So all those things we’re going through. Hopefully we’ll get an answer by the next 24 hours, and be able to update you in the next 24 hours on what’s going on. If he’s cleared, he’ll be out there. If there’s something else, we’ll certainly fill you in on what’s going on.”

Dominik attempted to clear up any misconceptions regarding comments made by head coach Greg Schiano. In his Monday afternoon press conference Schiano alluded to a leg ailment. Dominik explained the organization’s position.


“I think when Coach said we’re still trying to figure out what ails LeGarrette, it was the absolute truth without getting into the information,” Dominik said. “That’s part of the whole process of looking at what are the different parts of the injury. … That’s why I ordered an MRI on his neck and back to make sure there’s nothing else more serious if it is.”

– Dory LeBlanc contributed to this report