Lawrence Tynes has not kicked in an NFL game since contracting a virulent staph infection while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.
Now Tynes is suing the Buccaneers seeking damages for his ordeal.
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Tynes is alleging the Buccaneers handling of his situation has “ended his career and cost him over $20 million in expected future earnings.”
Tynes - along with guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Johnthan Banks - contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, otherwise known as MRSA, in 2013. Nicks and Tynes have had their careers ended for all intents and purposes due to the ailments. Banks has been able to resume his career and started 30 games over the last two years for the Buccaneers.
Tynes signed with the Bucs after six years with the New York Giants. He contracted the infection during training camp and has not kicked in the NFL since.
Tynes was critical of Tampa Bay’s handling of the matter at the time after they placed him on the non-football injury list instead of injured reserve, which denied him some benefits he believed he deserved. The non-football injury list also meant the Buccaneers believed the issue arose outside of the team’s facility and was not contracted through his normal football activities.