Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft and arguably the most important player on the Buccaneers defense, may be lost for the season after reportedly tearing his biceps muscle in his right arm, according to Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.
Sunday was a day filled with optimism and relief for the defensive end, making his return to the lineup from a two-game absence because of an ankle injury. But in the first quarter, McCoy suffered what teammates described as a torn biceps muscle, an injury that almost certainly will be season-ending.
This is the second season in a row that McCoy's season has ended as a result of a torn biceps muscle. Last year it was his left arm, so at least the injury isn't compounding a pre-existing injury. But the disappointment is still the same, and it must be getting frustrating for a player who hasn't really had an opportunity to come into his own in this his second season.
McCoy only played in six games for the Bucs this year and had registered only 11 tackles and one sack. But his importance isn't just in the numbers he produces, but rather in his impact on the offense. You could see that the Saints had a much easier time moving the ball on the ground after McCoy was sidelined. This is a big time injury for a team that really needed McCoy to produce.