Is this the end for Mike Alstott? He doesn’t even want to think about it.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday placed the six-time Pro Bowl fullback on injured reserve because of a neck problem. Alstott said it was not related to a career-threatening injury that required surgery in 2003.

“The facts are the facts. I can’t put on the helmet and jersey this year,” the 33-year-old Alstott said. “One thing is, you don’t mess with the neck. There are always situations where it can be worsened by playing. It is a severe injury and it’s a situation you don’t mess with.”

But Alstott, arguably the most popular player in team history, couldn’t bring himself to say he may have played his last game. The team’s second all-time rusher with 5,088 yards had been preparing for his 12th season, but became concerned when soreness in his neck persisted as training camp progressed at Disney World.

Tests performed by team doctors revealed a new problem, and the decision to place him on IR was made after Alstott consulted with his personal surgeon, who operated on the fullback during the 2003 season.

Eagles

All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews is out indefinitely and tight end L.J. Smith aggravated a sports hernia, adding to the list of injured Philadelphia Eagles.

Andrews is bothered by a right ankle injury, the same one he hurt in Week 1 of his rookie season in 2004. He was examined by an ankle specialist on Wednesday and returned to camp Thursday with a walking boot and crutches. It’s uncertain how long Andrews will be sidelined.

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins also remained sidelined with a sore Achilles’ tendon.

Browns

Linebacker Willie McGinest was scheduled to have back surgery today and will miss at least six weeks, another blow to a Cleveland team decimated by major injuries the past few seasons.

After a week of rest following the procedure on a bulging disk, he’ll begin rehab and the Browns will re-evaluate the 35-year-old McGinest in six weeks.

Steelers

Rookie linebacker Lawrence Timmons, limited to three practice days since being the 15th player selected in the April draft, is expected to resume practicing next week.

Timmons initially hurt his groin on the first day of a mandatory minicamp May 11.

Cardinals

With the preseason opener at Oakland two days away, the rookies may be starting to feel some butterflies. Count new coach Ken Whisenhunt among them.

“I’m sure a lot of the young guys will be very excited because it will be their first chance to play,” Whisenhunt said. “And a lot of us young, new coaches will be excited because it’s our first chance to coach.”

It will be the first game as a head coach at any level for the 45-year-old Whisenhunt, who was hired last winter to replace Dennis Green. Whisenhunt’s first adjustment will be working on the sideline; as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator the last three seasons, he watched games from the press box.

Titans

Veteran guard Benji Olson will sit out Saturday night’s exhibition opener with the Redskins as he nurses a sore back that has kept him out of all but one practice since the end of July. The nine-year veteran has missed only two games since becoming the starter during the 1999 season.

He visited a specialist last week who found no damage. Olson has said he needs to be smarter about how many consecutive practices he takes part in with the wear and tear on his back.