The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received a Christmas gift in the form of Eric Wright. Whether they choose to accept it is another question.
The cornerback returned Monday from his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Wright said he was suspended for the prescription drug Adderall and lost an appeal ruling on the punishment.
The Bucs are paper-thin in the secondary and haven't been able to stop anyone in the passing game, but coach Greg Schiano was noncommittal about playing Wright in Sunday's season finale against the Atlanta Falcons.
"He is back," Schiano told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday. "Can't tell you right now (if he will play) without getting on the field and seeing where he is and formulating a plan and all those things. I think he'll be in shape. I just have to see what is the best thing for our football team."
Schiano didn't question Wright's conditioning, but wondered if he'd be in "good football shape." It's also possible the Bucs have seen enough from Wright, who was signed before the season to a five-year, $38 million deal. He lost $1.7 million in game checks during his ban and can be cut in the offseason if the Bucs don't want to pay his $7.75 million salary for 2013.
Schiano didn't hesitate to part ways with another once-suspended cornerback, Aqib Talib, and the Bucs have dedicated themselves to shedding players who don't go with the flow. This could amount to a potentially expensive misstep for Wright.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
