By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer Rick StroudTampa Bay Times In Print: Wednesday, June 13, 2012

TAMPA Injuries have flattened another Bucs defensive lineman, but the news is not all that deflating.

DT Amobi Okoye missed Tuesday's opening of a three-day mandatory minicamp after having arthroscopic knee surgery, the team announced.

Okoye elected to have the relatively minor procedure done to prevent further complications with his knee later on. He is expected to make a full recovery and be on the field for the start of training camp in late July.

The Bucs are leaning heavily on Okoye to provide depth along a defensive line that already has suffered a major loss after E Da'Quan Bowers' ruptured Achilles' tendon.

The only other player to miss Tuesday's mandatory minicamp was DT Brian Price, who has been excused, coach Greg Schiano said.

WRIGHT STUFF: CB Eric Wright is a big part of arguably the most heralded Bucs class of free agents. But he has been an irregular attendant during the offseason, particularly during workouts in recent weeks.

That wasn't the case Tuesday as Wright was back for the first day of the Bucs' mandatory minicamp, beginning to catch up as the team continues to install its defense.

"I had a few personal issues that I had to deal with," said Wright, who wasn't with the team for the three recent workouts open to media. "That's typical for the offseason. But most importantly, I'm here for minicamp and feeling good. So, I'm out here running around."

Wright seemed to be taking a bit of a back seat in certain situations Tuesday, giving way to lesser-known players such as Anthony Gaitor and E.J. Biggers. But the Bucs expressed no concern about Wright's progress in learning the scheme.

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