Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy went for an MRI this week after hurting his calf in last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos and there was worry that he might be out of the lineup for a while as a result of the injury.
The results of the MRI didn’t confirm those fears. McCoy has been diagnosed with a calf strain and the Buccaneers aren’t ruling him out of Monday’s game against the Panthers at this point. They’re not ruling him in, either, but calling it, via the Tampa Bay Times, “a wait-and-see deal” is certainly better than the alternative.
Having McCoy is a good thing for the Bucs defense under any circumstances, but his presence would be particularly welcome at a moment when the team is dealing with a variety of other injuries on the defensive line. Defensive end Robert Ayers has missed two straight games with an ankle injury and defensive end Noah Spence left last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.
Thursday’s practice will produce the team’s first injury report of the week, which will provide a chance to see how close any of the banged-up Bucs are to playing this week.
