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Report: Eagles Bucs Game Could Be Postponed Due To MRSA Infections

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The NFLPA could advise that the Eagles and Bucs postpone their game Sunday pending an MRSA containment report, according to a report.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that that MRSA, the staph infection that has now reportedly affected three members of the Tampa Bay Bucs, could be a reason for the NFLPA to advise that the game be postponed.

The Bucs' Carl Nicks was diagnosed with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), returned to practice in September, but has reportedly had the infection resurface. A report from Schefter earlier on Friday suggested that two more Bucs players, Lawrence Tynes and a third player were also diagnosed.

The NFL released the following statement:

Our office, the NFLPA, and appropriate medical specialists are working with the [Tampa Bay Bucs] medical staff to aggressively address the matter.

NFLPA representative George Atallah tweeted the following response:

Mike Garofolo, of Fox Sports, tells 94WIP's Anthony Gargano and Glen Macnow that the chances of postponement are "very slim."

According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network [via Twitter}, "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. The NFLPA will wait for the DICON report before making a decision on how to advise everyone move forward in the MRSA case. Asked if union could advise postponing Bucs/Eagles, sources say unlikely. Report would have to be bad. Either way, it's a [medical] decision. Bottom line: Neither league nor union anticipates having to move Bucs-Eagles game, with DICON report being variable here."

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