Da'Quan Bowers Injury: Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE Tears Achilles

For the second time in as many years, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers has suffered a serious offseason injury. He fell to the Bucs in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft because of offseason knee surgery, and he's likely to miss a good chunk of, if not all of his second year in the league. According to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bowers will have surgery to repair an Achilles tendon injury, and ESPN's Adam Schefter is calling it a torn Achilles.

Plans for Da'Quan Bowers to have surgery to repair his Achilles tendon injury tomorrow are being finalized.

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) May 10, 2012

Bucs DE DaQuan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2012

It's too early to give a timetable on his return, as that will depend on how severe the tear is and how his surgery goes on Friday. In any event, an Achilles tear of any degree that requires surgery right now is likely to keep Bowers from starting the season healthy. It's possible that the injury is severe enough that he will not play in 2012.

Bowers recorded 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 16 appearances last season. He was expected to compete with Michael Bennett for time at left defensive end before this injury.

For more on Bowers, head over to Bucs Nation.