Tampa Bay Buccaneers Luke Stocker cleared

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Luke Stocker is going to carry a bigger role with the team after the trade of Kellen Winslow Jr., so it’s great news to hear that he has been medically cleared to practice tomorrow after suffering from a head injury a week ago. It hasn’t been determined if Stocker suffered a concussion, but the Bucs have been cautious with their tight end and did not allow him to play in Friday’s 30-7 loss against the Tennessee Titans.

Although he is listed as the team’s backup tight end with offseason signing Dallas Clark ahead of him, the 24-year old Tennessee product will play a more important role for the Bucs. Clark is a great receiver and will definitely make a bigger impact as a pass-catcher, but Stocker is a better blocker and will help pave the way for the backs.

Luke Stocker has been focusing heavily on run blocking as his role with the team increases in 2012, so he should be much more prepared to take on blockers for the Buccaneers. New offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and head coach Greg Schiano love running the football, which increases Stocker’s value to the team. He is a better pass-catcher than some give him credit for, but, again, he is clearly second to Clark in this regard. He won’t be playing much of a role as a receiver for the Bucs.

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