Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will miss the remainder of the 2011 season due to a torn right biceps, coach Raheem Morris confirmed Monday afternoon. Tampa Bay will place him on injured reserve. The injury forced him to leave the first quarter of Sunday's loss against the New Orleans Saints--his first appearance after a two-game absence due to a sprained ankle--and he did not return. It's the second straight year a torn biceps has ended the former Oklahoma Sooner's season; in 2010, a torn left biceps forced the No. 3 overall draft pick to miss the final three regular-season games of his rookie season.
McCoy tallied 11 tackles (10 solo), with one sack, in 2011. In addition to those numbers, the team says he tallied 13 quarterback pressures.
According to Morris, his team will address McCoy's absence by moving George Johnson and Michael Bennett from end to tackle when the situation calls for a pass rush. Further, Da'Quan Bowers will get McCoy's reps on first and second down. The coach also said the team could try to sign another player to replace McCoy later this week.
Bucs Nation, SB Nation's Buccaneers blog, suggests Tampa Bay could cut Tim Crowder to make room for whichever defensive tackle it chooses to add. Crowder, a defensive end, has 14 tackles (11 solo) in 2011. The Bucs did not have him active against the Saints.