Quincy

Black

Morris quickly benched Black and increased MLB Mason Foster’s role, allowing the rookie to play in the nickel and dime defenses. Foster proceeded to rack up 10 tackles (7 solo), a sack, and a forced fumble. The extent of Black’s injury is not known, but it’s a good sign that he was in the locker room after the game talking to reporters. He’s probably just day to day.

Dakota Watson is expected to replace Black on the strong side. Rookie Mason Foster will play all three downs while wearing the helmet transmitter this week.

Hayes was knocked out by Cody Grimm’s knee on the play that ended Grimm’s season. SLB Quincy Black (ankle) also returned to practice, so the Bucs’ linebackers should be back to full strength against the Colts on Monday night.

Black was inactive in Week 3 after suffering the injury in Week 2. It’s unclear if he will be ready to give it a go on Monday against the Colts. If not, Dekoda Watson will make his second straight start on the strong side.

He appeared likely to play but couldn’t get over the hump for the second straight week. Dekoda Watson will start in his place and played well against the Niners last year, so don’t go crazy upgrading Frank Gore. WR Sammie Stroughter, TE Luke Stocker, T James Lee, G Derek Hardman, LB Zach Diles, and S Devin Holland join him on the inactive list.

“I think (Foster) had a good three days,” coach Greg Schiano said. “I’m not sure where all those linebackers will land.” Black may have briefly opened camp in the middle, but the Tampa Times believes the “most likely outcome” is Foster retaining the position for 2012.

Mason Foster and Adam Hayward were the outside ‘backers. The lineup may not stick, of course, but Black would become an awfully interesting IDP target if it does. He played a middle linebacker-slash-safety role at New Mexico, the position made famous there by Brian Urlacher. Black was part of the problem for Tampa Bay’s run defense last year, however, taking a big step back from 2010.

Hayes had been benched the last two weeks, but the Bucs went 0-2 and gave up 32.0 points per game during that span. Hayes was averaging 5.7 tackles per game in seven starts earlier this year.

Quincy Black moved to the weak side with Adam Heyward joining the lineup at strong side. “We needed some better play out of the (weak-side) linebacker position,” Morris said. It will be a boon to Black’s IDP value. He tied MLB Mason Foster for the team lead in tackles (9) during Sunday’s win over the Saints, and the weak side is a much more production-friendly position than “Sam.”

Mason Foster is in the middle with second-round rookie Lavonte David on the weak side. ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas believes Black will be pushed by Adam Hayward for the gig, but there’s not much IDP upside here either way. The SAM ‘backer doesn’t typically rack up tackles in new coach Greg Schiano’s scheme.