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Well, then... it looks like there's a chance that the Eagles and Buccaneers won't play as scheduled on Sunday afternoon. Nothing is official, but check out this report from ESPN:
NFLPA tells @wingoz that, depending on what MRSA containment report says, the NFLPA could advise Bucs-Eagles not to play this weekend.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2013
Wow. That's kind of a shocker.
The issue here is that a number of Bucs players are dealing with a MRSA scare. BGN's Mike Kaye wrote about this earlier today:
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.
Football aside, this is a significant issue.
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.
As our good friend Sander Philipse points out over at Bucs Nation, the cancellation of the game might not be likely.
The NFLPA can advise, but they can't cancel games. Moreover, this infection does not appear to be serious enough to be a threat to the health of other players.
Update: CBS Sports' Jason La Confora reports a cancellation isn't likely:
From talking to NFLPA sources, union still gathering info on MRSA in Tampa but postponing Sun game seen as not likely at this point
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 11, 2013
As does a more likable source in Philadelphia:
As it stands now, the NFL is working with the Bucs and union on MRSA, but is not planning anything that would affect the Bucs-Eagles game.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 11, 2013
Local Update:
NFL has been in contact with the Eagles regarding Bucs' staph & MSRA situation but Eagles preparing to fly to Tampa tomorrow for game Sunday
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) October 11, 2013
BGN will have more on this situation as more details are released. Stay tuned.