Brooks: Sprained shoulder won't stop him from facing Eagles

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Derrick Brooks can't imagine sitting out a playoff game. <br><br>Tampa Bay's best linebacker has a sprained right shoulder that sidelined him for most of the Buccaneers'

Thursday, December 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Derrick Brooks can't imagine sitting out a playoff game.

Tampa Bay's best linebacker has a sprained right shoulder that sidelined him for most of the Buccaneers' regular-season finale, but said Wednesday that the injury will not keep him from returning for Sunday's NFC wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

``It feels better every day. That's all I can ask for,'' the Bucs' leading tackler said. ``It will be tough to keep me out. Not playing is not an option.''

The Bucs (10-6) wasted an opportunity to win the NFC Central title, clinch a first-round bye and at least one home game in the playoffs by losing 17-14 in overtime at Green Bay on Sunday.

Now, to achieve a goal of becoming the first team to appear in the Super Bowl in its own stadium, Tampa Bay might have to win three games on the road, where they're 0-4 in the postseason.

Taking the first step would be especially difficult without Brooks.

Not only did the four-time Pro Bowl selection lead the team in tackles for the third straight year, but he assumed responsibility for making defensive calls in the huddle midway through the season.

Facing the Eagles without Brooks would not be ideal, but coach Tony Dungy is confident the Bucs have enough depth at linebacker to weather the situation.

``We've played without other guys. If you have to, you have to. That's professional football. You've still got to go out there and win. If he's not in there, other guys have to step up,'' Dungy said.

``He has had it for several weeks and gone through most of the games without getting it hit to the extent where he had to come out of the game.''

Brooks, who has not missed a game in six pro seasons, left the field during the first half against the Packers and did not return. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage, he practiced Wednesday and is listed as probable for Sunday.

As far as his teammates are concerned, Brooks will play.

``You've got to know the nature of the beast,'' said Warren Sapp, the 1999 NFL defensive player of the year. ``I'm going to have to shoot Brooks for him not to play. That's how it goes.

``It's money time now. You work all year long to get to this point. There's 19 teams begging, crying, pleading and whatever else they can do to get a recount to get in these playoffs. But it's locked right now. We're one of those 12 ball clubs and we've got to relish that opportunity.''

If Brooks can't play or is limited, Don Davis will replace him in the starting lineup. And, depending upon their health, several other backups will get more playing time, too.

Jeff Gooch, who usually backs up Brooks, is listed as questionable after being added to the injury report Wednesday with an abdominal strain. Another backup, Al Singleton, expects to return after missing three games with a knee sprain, and starting middle linebacker Jamie Duncan is nursing a sprained right knee.

``It's that time of the year when injuries start to kick in and take their toll,'' Duncan said. ``Everybody's banged up a little bit or got little nicks ... but I expect to play. I mean, this is the playoffs.''

Quarterback Shaun King was limited in practice by a groin strain the team said will not prevent him from practicing Thursday or playing Sunday. Defensive end Marcus Jones, second on the team with a career-high 13 sacks, sat out Wednesday and is listed as probable.