Bears fans, and a small portion of Bucs fans, might feel comfortable questioning safety Chris Conte’s play on the field, but no one can question his toughness.

After being injured in the Bucs 14-5 win over the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, Conte spent the night in the intensive care unit at a local hospital, according to a league source. The source told PewterReport.com that Conte was coughing up blood, but the exact nature of the injury wasn’t revealed. The Bucs had listed Conte out over the last two weeks with what was described as a chest injury.

Bucs safety Chris Conte – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

 The good news for the Bucs and Conte is the former Bears starter is expected to rejoin the team for practice on Wednesday after missing the last two games.

Fortunately for the Buccaneers, backup Keith Tandy has played well in Conte’s absence, closing out the last two wins with interceptions, one coming against Philip Rivers, and last week’s game sealer coming off of Drew Brees. 

Conte, like the majority of the rest of the Bucs defense, struggled somewhat earlier in the season, but was playing the best football of his Bucs career prior to the injury. Conte’s biggest play came this season on November 13 against the Bears, when he scored the first touchdown of his career after intercepting former teammate Jay Cutler and returning it for a 20-yard touchdown. 

On the season, Conte has played in 11 games, while recording 65 tackles, four pass breakups and two touchdowns.