TAMPA, Fla. — Rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks, the third Tampa Bay player diagnosed with MRSA, has been cleared to play Sunday in the Buccaneers' game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The NFL and NFL Players Association issued a joint statement Saturday, saying: "The NFL and NFLPA have worked together in response to the MRSA matter in Tampa Bay. The jointly retained specialist has met with the team, supervised the inspection of the facilities, conducted medical examinations and agrees with the team medical staff that Mr. Banks does not pose a risk of transmission to other players.

"The specialist also met with team officials from the Eagles. All players have been advised of the process and we will continue to work together to jointly monitor the situation."

MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics.

On the team's injury report Friday, Banks and guard Carl Nicks, who along with kicker Lawrence Tynes was diagnosed as having MRSA in August, were listed as questionable to play against Philadelphia. Tynes is on the non-football injury list.