If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to turn last season’s surprising performance into a playoff spot in 2017, they will need star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy 100 percent and ready to go.
Unfortunately, the five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle apparently suffered a pelvic/groin injury in practice on Friday and might need to undergo an MRI.
#Bucs DT Gerald McCoy is being checked for possible groin/pelvic injury. May undergo MRI but they don't believe it's serious at this time
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 25, 2017
McCoy, 29, is considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL. He has recorded 38.5 sacks over the past five seasons and anchors a unit that ranked in the top 10 in sacks in 2016.
More than this, McCoy is known for taking up double teams on a consistent basis. This has in the past opened up pass-rush lanes for Tampa Bay’s EDGE rushers.
While we’re not too sure what the severity of McCoy’s injury is, it could very well have wide-ranging ramifications on the Buccaneers to start the season.
Teaming up with linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, McCoy has helped build one of the better defensive front sevens in the NFL. A long-term absense here would be huge for the Bucs.