Quincy Black doesn't have spinal injury but could be out

Quincy Black was released from the hospital on Monday but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the possibility that they will be without their strong-side linebacker for the remainder of the season after he suffered a serious neck injury.

Black was injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision in Sunday’s win over the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium and coach Greg Schiano said “complications” could keep Black out, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

“Overall he is going to be OK, but it's a serious injury and he's having some complications with his left arm,'' Schiano said, per the report. "There are still further tests he has to go through before we can make a definitive statement, but it's serious and how much time that means we'll just have to see.''

The best news is that Schiano says there is not spinal damage that will complicate Black’s future – on the field or off.

“It's the nerves and things coming off that,” Schiano said. “I don't want to say too much because I'm not exactly sure and I'd hate to misspeak, but I do know that it needs some further tests to get right to the bottom of it.''

Doctors are waiting for swelling to go down in Black’s shoulder area to get a better handle on specifically what his injury is. Hopefully, he’ll be back to normal soon.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune