Bucs head coach Bruce Arians offered a few injury updates on Monday, including the outlook for Richard Sherman. The veteran cornerback strained his calf in pregame warmups against Washington. Sherman was quickly ruled out, and the prognosis hasn’t improved since then. Arians didn’t seem optimistic about the former All-Pro moving forward.

“Sherm strained his calf before the game,” Arians said. “I doubt seriously if he’ll be back anytime soon. I don’t know yet (if he’ll go on injured reserve). We’ll see what the MRI says today.”

The Bucs initially signed Sherman to help the team survive a multitude of injuries at cornerback. But it didn’t take long for Sherman to join the walking wounded, pulling his hamstring early against Philadelphia in his third start. The former Pro Bowler missed the next two games, but was set to make his return to the starting lineup against Washington.

“He was fine,” Arians said. “He was fine Thursday and Friday. I thought he was going to have a heck of a ballgame. He just strained his calf before the ballgame. Don’t know how long it’ll be.”

Bucs CB Richard Sherman and S Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This might signal the end for Sherman – as a Buccaneer and as an NFL player. At 33, Sherman’s body seems to be breaking down with two non-contact injuries. Considering the injuries he dealt with last season, it seems unlikely Sherman has much left in the tank. I’m guessing he ends up on injured reserve in the coming days.

Perhaps Sherman would be an emergency activation late in the season/postseason. But if the Bucs return to full health in the secondary, it’s tough to see a role for him. Starters Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting will likely return to the lineup before Sherman. Jamel Dean is a clear top three cornerback for the Bucs. Ross Cockrell and either Dee Delaney or Pierre Desir round out the group. Delaney and Desir can contribute on special teams, while Sherman won’t. Stashing him on injured reserve seems like the wisest move for the Bucs at this time.

Tampa Bay returns to action against the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 11.