Corey

Lynch

Lynch started eight of 32 games with the Bucs the past two seasons, but he’s essentially a special teamer. Trautwein will vie for the final offensive line spot. Malone will be a golfing buddy for standout punter Mike Scifres until he’s released after training camp.

We suspected Bigby’s season would be over considering the 3-5 week recovery timetable. The Bolts have already used the “designated for return” option on Vincent Brown, so Bigby won’t be eligible to return if the club finds a way into the playoffs. Corey Lynch will move into the starting lineup opposite FS Eric Weddle while third-round rookie Brandon Taylor should see his first action of the season as a backup. Bigby, the Chargers’ second-leading tackler, is due a $1 million salary on top of a $500,000 roster bonus in 2013.

A source tells the U-T San Diego that the injury is “pretty bad.” With just five games left in the season, Bigby will be a candidate for injured reserve. The 31-year-old had been the Chargers’ second-leading tackler (68) through 11 games. Corey Lynch took Bigby’s place after the injury while a concussion and hamstring injury sidelined Eric Weddle and Darrell Stuckey respectively.

Starter Cody Grimm (knee) is done for the season, leaving his two backups to battle. Defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said that “if one of them is real hot, then I’ll stick with that guy.” The good news for the Bucs is that neither one will be tested by the Colts’ inept passing game Monday night.

Grimm tore the ligaments on a play in which his knee knocked Geno Hayes unconscious while hitting the linebacker’s helmet. Larry Asante and Corey Lynch are candidates to fill in this week, though Tanard Jackson may be returning from suspension shortly. Grimm has exceeded expectations as a 2010 seventh-rounder, but he’s now ended up on injured reserve in both seasons with the Bucs.

Jackson sat out all of 2010 and the first five weeks of 2011 after multiple violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. With starter Cody Grimm out for the season, it seems likely that the Bucs will welcome Jackson back as a potential solution at free safety. Once he returns to football shape, Jackson should be Tampa’s best safety.

Jackson has served his time for over a year, and the Bucs have a need for a veteran safety. The team has up to two weeks to activate Jackson from the exempt list, but he should end up starting over Corey Lynch soon enough.

The St. Petersburg Times reported early Monday that Grimm has a torn ACL, but coach Raheem Morris was more optimistic in his day-after press conference. Morris said Grimm “definitely” has an MCL injury, but may have avoided an ACL tear. The Bucs will turn to Larry Asante and Corey Lynch for an in-practice battle at free safety until Grimm returns. It appears the Bucs have no intentions of activating suspended FS Tanard Jackson at this time.

It’s Lynch’s first known action of free agency. The 28-year-old appeared in all 16 games for the Chargers last season, starting four, and recorded 39 tackles and two interceptions. The Chiefs opted to sign S Quintin Demps instead.

The Chargers are going to use the final two games as an evaluation for Taylor, who will be making his first career start. The third-round pick replaces Corey Lynch as a “box” safety next to Eric Weddle.