Add the Buccaneers to the list of teams that had their worst fears realized today.
Bucs coach Greg Schiano just announced that defensive end Adrian Clayborn will miss the rest of the season, after tearing a knee ligament in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. He’ll need surgery to repair the damage, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
Clayborn led the Bucs with 7.5 sacks last year, and his loss leaves the Bucs without a legitimate edge rusher. Either Daniel Te’o-Nesheim or George Johnson would start opposite Michael Bennett (and thankfully they have a strong middle).
They also stashed defensive end Da’Quan Bowers on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his Achilles this offseason.
They’ve held out hope he can return, but he won’t be back until after Week 6 by rule. That seems like a longshot, however, which means the Bucs may have to adjust the way they do business.