Bucs CB Richard Sherman.

There is a reason why it appears veteran Bucs cornerback Richard Sherman may only miss a couple of games with a bum hamstring.

Because he damn near played through the injury.

In the podcast that bears his name, Sherman explained his first-quarter pain that ended his Thursday night in Philadelphia.

“I was just getting into rhythm,” Sherman said of playing his third game with the Bucs after being signed Sept. 30, just three days before the Belicheats game.

It was the first time Sherman had skipped a training camp in his football life.

“I tried to roll with the punches and got punched back.”

Sherman noted that NFL Network cameras saw him touch a ballcarrier on the ground (he was hurting so much and there were other defenders there, so Sherman didn’t try to make a normal tackle). But the injury did not come on that play, after which Sherman left the field.

Rather, the injury came on the play before.

“I thought I could gut it out,” Sherman said of staying in the game. “I couldn’t move.”

It is a good thing the Bucs are so loaded, Sherman noted, so his absence for a couple of games shouldn’t hurt much.

“That is what is cool about this team,” Sherman said. “There is so much depth.”

Sherman gave special props to Jamel Dean for his play against the Eagles. Sherman is impressed by Dean’s speed, “He’s playing confident.”

Start your day with the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast.