Now officially done for 2008 with a broken arm, Jermaine Phillips will wait for a contract offer from the Bucs. He's a free agent after the season. Joe hopes the Bucs open the vault for this guy.

Joe was holding out hope that strong safety Jermaine Phillips would return to the field this season, even after reports said he broke his forearm again in Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

But that hope is now gone. Today Phillips joined Earnest Graham on injured reserve, which means his 2008 campaign is over.

This is truly bad news.

Phillips was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. It was clear how much he meant to the secondary when he was out with an forearm injury earlier in the season and Sabby Piscatelli filled in as the starter for a handful of games. Phillips hits hard, and he’s made his share of big plays. You could have made a good case for Phillips to go to the Pro Bowl last year, as well.

At 29 years old, Phillips should be a priority for the Bucs in the offseason. He joins a long list of soon- to-be Tampa Bay free agents , which includes cornerback Phillip Buchanon and reserve safety Will Allen in the secondary.

If the Bucs name secondary coach Raheem Morris to replace Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator, then you have to think Phillips will definitely return in 2009.

Replacing Phillips on the roster, according to TBO.com, is DE Patrick Chukwurah, a relatively useless pass rusher who dabbled on the Bucs roster last year and earlier this season. They also signed LB Rod Wilson to replace reserve RB Noah Herron, who was signed last month after Graham was lost for the season.