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The medical situation in Tampa Bay has taken a turn over the last two days. First, offensive guard Carl Nicks was re-diagnosed with a staph infection on Thursday. Buccaneers cornerback Johnthan Banks has been added to the list of MRSA infections, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. This makes him the third Buccaneers player to be diagnosed with the infection in just two months and the fourth occurrence during that time frame.
Banks is a rookie, who has been starting for the Buccaneers in their talented secondary. He is a second-round pick out of Mississippi State and has 10 tackles and an interception through four games. The recent diagnose of Nick and Banks greatly diminishes the chances of them playing on Sunday against the Eagles. Banks' direct backup is listed as Leonard Johnson on the Buccaneers official depth chart.
Football aside this is a serious issue. Former Browns LeCharles Bentley nearly died a few years ago after contracting MRSA. Here is what MayoClinic.org has to say about MRSA infection:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.
Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints.
Yikes!