To no one's surprise, G Arron Sears not only failed to report to training camp on Friday, but team officials are unsure if he will join the team this season.
Sears was placed on the reserve/did-not-report list. Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said he spoke with Sears' agent, Sean Kineran, on Friday to inform him of the team's decision.
Sears does not count against the 80-man camp roster and Tampa Bay will not fine him for missing camp. The Bucs have not divulged why Sears missed several voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp during the offseason, saying his absence is a "personal issue."
"There's not frustration," Dominik said. "For us, I'm not frustrated. I'm just looking out for Arron and I hope everything comes together for him and that he reports. That's the best way to say that.
"We want to be there and support him and that's the important thing for us right now."
Sears was a second-round selection (35th overall) by Tampa Bay in 2007. He started 16 games as a rookie and 15 last year.
Tampa Bay offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah is expected to start at left guard in place of Sears. Though Bucs coach Raheem Morris said Sears is welcome to rejoin the team at anytime, the Bucs appear to be moving on.
"The sky is not falling because one man didn't show on this team," Morris said. "We're going to have injuries we're going to have to deal with. We're going to have all type of things we have to deal with.
"You can never get mentally weak enough and worry about that. You've got to keep going and keep marching ahead because everybody wants to make it happen."
Caddy says he's ready to go
Tampa Bay RB Cadillac Williams passed his physical on Friday and was cleared to fully participate in training camp.
Williams tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in the season finale against Oakland and spent the offseason rehabilitating. Two seasons ago, Williams ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee, an injury that required a lengthy rehabilitation after surgery.
"If the season starts tomorrow, I'm good," Williams said.
Williams indicated his main concern were those knees, but competing with Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward and Clifton Smith for playing time this season.
"It is a crowded backfield," Williams said. "For one, I just want to thank God. I'm happy to be here. I'm back; glad I'm back to play football. I'm just looking forward to going to camp and competing with these guys."
