University of North Carolina Athletics
Finger Hospitalized Following Bucs Practice
August 7, 2001 | Football
Aug 6, 2001
By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Tampa Bay rookie tight end Dauntae' Finger was taken to a hospital for tests Monday after experiencing shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat during practice.
The seventh-round draft pick left the field sitting on the back on a cart. Later, he was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where the team said he would remain overnight for additional tests on Tuesday.
Bucs coach Tony Dungy said Finger was examined and found to have a "high pulse rate."
"Dauntae' is doing fine. ... We took him to the hospital and did all the tests and everything appears to be normal right now," Dungy said.
"They are going to do a couple more tests. We wanted to take all precautions. He was a little light-headed, but it does not appear to be heat-related."
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound tight end left the field after feeling light-headed and experiencing shortness of breath during the team's afternoon workout at the University of Tampa.
"I didn't feel quite right out there," Finger said in a statement released by the Bucs. "Obviously it is really hot out there, but I have been taking the necessary precautions to hydrate myself like the trainers and coaches have been talking to us about. I feel fine and I am looking forward to getting back with my teammates."
Meanwhile, fullback Charles Kirby will miss the entire season after tearing his left Achilles' tendon during the morning practice. The backup to Mike Alstott, who is on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, is expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
An MRI on Monday confirmed that Alstott, who was injured last Friday, has a moderate strain that will sideline him at least two weeks. Fourth-year pro Rabih Abdullah and rookie Jameel Cook will get more work with Alstott and Kirby out.
Quarterback Brad Johnson participated in team drills for the first time after missing the first four days of training camp because of a left knee laceration.
Johnson, who still hasn't had his stitches removed, took part in individual drills last Friday.
"It felt great out there," Johnson said. "I feel really sharp."
Johnson's return, though, didn't give the Bucs a full complement of quarterbacks.
Shaun King left the morning practice because of a right shoulder strain sustained during a mock game on Saturday. King only threw two passes before reporting he didn't feel any strength in the shoulder.
An MRI showed no structural damage and King is listed as probable for practice Tuesday.
