Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks said Monday that the toe injury that sidelined him for the final nine games of last season is something he'll likely have to deal with for the rest of his life.

Carl Nicks says his toe injury affects the way he walks and stands but he's confident he'll be able to play through the pain. AP Photo/Mike Carlson

The pain persists on the underside of his left foot, and the 6-foot-5, 349-pound Nicks, who signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 2012, does not expect it to go away anytime soon.

"I might have to deal with it my whole life. So it is what it is, but I have all the confidence in the world that I'll be playing," he said.

"I'd lie if I'd tell you it didn't affect me at all, but it affects the way I walk, the way I stand around right now. I've got to stand a certain way; it's just something I've got to deal with."

He is hopeful of making it all the way back to the form that made him an All-Pro with the Saints in 2011, but he admits he has a long way to go.

"I think with the rehab program I've got, and the way they're letting me rest, work, rest, work, I think it'll be fine," he said. "Maybe I'll just take it easier during the week. I'll still practice, but probably not every play."

Nicks, who last played on Oct. 25, might see limited playing time at New England on Friday night.

"I think I'm going to play this week," he said Monday. "I've got to get some live action on the toe."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.